Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks are set to face off for the second time this season at the United Center. Chicago pulled away late for a 90-77 win back on Dec. 28.
The Bucks come in off a 94-81 loss at home against the Memphis Grizzlies. Milwaukee had won their previous two games, but they were at home against a Washington team that hasn’t won on the road all season and against a Cavaliers team that isn’t playing good basketball.
The Bulls nearly lost yet another game against a team with a losing record. Chicago had a 20 point lead over the Cavaliers cut down to just two points with less than five minutes to go, but the Bulls got it together and won the game 92-79. It was Chicago’s second win in a row, and fifth in their last six games.
The Bucks are a hurting unit right now. Milwaukee is still without their leading scorer Brandon Jennings, and both Drew Gooden and John Salmons are listed as questionable for tonight’s game.
Earl Boykins scored a team-high 23 points off the bench for the Bucks, but was just 8-22 from the field. Andrew Bogut led the starters with 14 points and nine rebounds. Corey Maggette had an all-around nice game with 12 points, five assists and eight rebounds, but as a team the Bucks shot just 37.8% from the field.
In the first game against the Bulls, Milwaukee had had five different players score in double figures, but got just four points for Bogut in 36 minutes. Boykins didn’t play in that game, and Salmons was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points.
The Bulls are 21-6 in their last 27 games, but five of those losses have came against teams with a losing record. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has stressed the importance of taking care of business against weaker opponents, and it will be interesting to see if the Bulls can respond with a dominant performance tonight.
Derrick Rose had just 18 points to go along with 12 assists in the first meeting against the Bucks, but Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer each had 24 points. Boozer returned Saturday after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury. He finished the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Deng also played well with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Rose added 24 points and eight assists.
Chicago is 20-4 at home this season, and I just think you have to take your chances on them winning this game by more than eight, especially if Salmons doesn’t play for Milwaukee. The Bulls defense should be able shut down Milwaukee and pull away for an easy win.
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