Bulls vs Thunder: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Chicago Bulls (42-11) will travel to Oklahoma City on Sunday to tangle with the Thunder (39-12) in a can't-miss showdown between the Eastern and Western Conferences' best.
Both teams fell short last May, losing in five games in their respective conference finals. Sunday's meeting is their only of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 regular season
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena; Oklahoma City
When: Sunday, April 1, 2012, 1 p.m. ET
Watch: ABC or stream live with NBA League Pass
Listen: ESPN 1000 WMVP-AM (Chicago); Sports Animal WWLS 640 AM 98.1 FM (Oklahoma City)
Betting Line:
Thunder -5.5 over Bulls, according to covers.com.
Over/under: 192.5, according to covers.com.
Key Injuries:
Derrick Rose (groin) is out and will miss his ninth consecutive game on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Rose, the reigning regular-season league MVP is averaging 22.8 points and eight assists per game in just 34 games with the Bulls this season.
Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is day-to-day, but is expected to play Sunday against the Thunder, according to ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell. Hamilton is only averaging 11.3 points per game in 16 games for the Bulls this season. He has missed Chicago's last 13 games because of injury.
What They're Saying:
Rose, the ailing Chicago Bulls point guard, is hungry, but is in no rush to get back on the NBA hardwood against the Thunder on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune.
""'I think any ballplayer would like to play against a (team) like that. Every game has been tempting. I just haven’t been able to play.'"
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OKC big man Kendrick Perkins acknowledged after Thursday night's win over the L.A. Lakers that the Thunder are looking to run the table the rest of the way in 2012, according to NewsOK.com.
""'We're trying to win every game from here on out.'"
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Most Important Player to Watch: James Harden
James Harden is arguably the best sixth man in the NBA this season, and he happens to be the Thunder's third-leading scorer, averaging more than 17 points per game. Harden is vital to OKC's success; he provides a much-needed scoring lift for the second unit, as well as rebounding (4.1 RPG) and assisting (3.8 APG). He also is shooting 49.3 percent from the field in 50 games this season.
Key Matchup: Luol Deng vs. Kevin Durant
It's hard to imagine Luol Deng outscoring Kevin Durant on Sunday, but he won't have to for the Bulls to win.
Deng instead needs to focus his attention on the defensive end, where he will likely have his hands full dealing with the versatile Durant. Durant is averaging nearly 28 points per game this season and has only scored less than 18 points once all year.
Deng is one of the NBA's better defenders, though, so this matchup will be interesting.
Prediction: Thunder 98, Bulls 91
In addition to being the league's best rebounding team, the Bulls are also the NBA's best road team this season, having won 21 of 27 away from Chicago. However, they will face the league's most potent offensive attack in Oklahoma City Sunday without their leading scorer and MVP, Derrick Rose.
Although Chicago is 14-5 without Rose this season, the Bulls have yet to play the Thunder.
