Blazers vs Bulls: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers couldn't be more opposites right now. Fresh from the trade deadline, the Bulls were the picture of stability. They made no deadline deals, and provided they don't acquire a big man down the stretch via free agency, they will make a go with what they have.
What they have is the team with the league's best record, fresh off a big win at home over the Miami Heat. It was even bigger because it came without MVP and superstar Derrick Rose.
Now for the other side of the spectrum.
The Blazers are in shambles. After starting the season 7-2, Portland has gone 13-21 since. They were blown out, 121-79, in their last game by the Knicks. They traded away Gerald Wallace to the New Jersey Nets for a first-round pick, as well as Mehmet Okur and Shawne Williams, who both have expiring deals.
The team fired head coach Nate McMillan, traded Marcus Camby and bid farewell to former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden.
Wow...what a difference a team makes.
Still, the two teams are set to battle Friday night in the United Center. Let's take a closer look.
Where: United Center, Chicago, Ill.
When: Friday, March 16, 8:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Comcast Sports Chicago, Comcast Sports Northwest
Listen: ESPN 1000 AM (Chicago), 750 AM The Game (Portland)
Betting Line: Not Available
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Key Injuries
Chicago: Derrick Rose (groin): questionable, Richard Hamilton (shoulder): out
Portland: Jamal Crawford (knee): questionable, Mehmet Okur (back): out, Shawne Williams (shoulder): out, Elliot Williams (shoulder): out
What's at Stake?
The Bulls certainly don't want to drop a home game under any circumstances. They especially wouldn't want to lose to a team in so much transition. They must guard against being undermotivated for this one.
The Blazers will be trying to clear the cobwebs after the team has undergone a massive transformation in a matter of hours.
The lineup and coach will be very different, and the result for Portland is a bit unpredictable under interim coach Caleb Kanales.
What They're Saying
The Blazers have decided to blow the whole thing up. They tried to move more pieces, but they couldn't get it done. Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports wrote:
"Chuffed with their ability to possibly pants the Nets out of a lottery pick, the GM-less Portland Trail Blazers have decided to pay it forward as they submit to a rebuilding process, and now they're just doing teams favors.
Which is why they've decided to essentially hand the Houston Rockets C/F Marcus Camby on Thursday, in return for 2009 draft washouts Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet and a conditional second-round pick in the 2012 draft.
"
The Bulls didn't complete a deal, but it doesn't mean they didn't try. ESPN's Nick Friedell reported:
"As usual, Forman and Paxson worked the phones for the past few weeks. As ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported earlier in the week, the Bulls tried to pry Pau Gasol away from the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Lakers wanted no part of Carlos Boozer's albatross of a contract.
"
Now, the Bulls must hope that what they have is enough to accomplish their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.
Chicago Player to Watch: Carlos Boozer
How will Boozer respond after the trade deadline? His name was the primary name thrown around as an expendable. Will he play better now that the deadline has passed, or will it be the same old up-and-down Boozer?
He is averaging a decent 15 points and eight rebounds per game, but he rarely steps up against big competition. Case in point, last night vs. the Heat, Boozer had two pints and eight rebounds in 27 minutes
Portland Player to Watch: LaMarcus Aldridge
With the team completely deconstructed around him, how will he respond? He is truly one of the game's elite power forwards. This season, he has averaged 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, but now, he must wait for the offseason and hope to draw free agents.
With what is left of the roster, this team can't expect to make a late run at the postseason.
Key Matchup: Nic Batum vs Luol Deng
Deng figures to draw Batum, as he is the only Bulls player that has a chance to match his length and athleticism. This should be one of the few interesting aspects of this game.
If Batum has a big game, then it will give the Blazers a shot to stay close.
Prediction
Bulls 105 Blazers 80
The Blazers will likely be shorthanded and still reeling from the changes. That is no way to go into the United Center expecting a win. The Bulls will run away with this one.
