Game 76: Houston Rockets Vs. Chicago Bulls Preview
The Houston Rockets banded together to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-100 — void of LeBron James — Tuesday night!
It was astonishing to see how those events unfolded because it looked — at least at face value — another horrible loss in that dreaded “L” column.
But Michael Beasley kept us in the game, James Harden got hot again and Patrick Beverley/Trevor Ariza followed to get over the hump and stay right in the thick of the playoff race with the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz!
Tonight, the Rockets will take on the 37-37 Chicago Bulls, another team that’s in a tight race to make the playoffs in their respective conference.
Where will the Rockets be after the dust settles tonight?
Hopefully on the winning side, they can do it!
So who’s leading the charge for the Bulls?
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Jimmy Butler is the leading scorer (21.0 PPG) and steals king (1.70 SPG). Derrick Rose is the lead assist man (4.8 APG). Pau Gasol is the team’s top board-getter (11.0 RPG) and shot-blocker (2.00 BPG).
Let’s talk about what the Bulls do well.
They take care of the basketball. The Bulls are tied for 9th in the league — with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs — in turnover ratio, with only 12.5 percent of their possessions ending with a turnover.
They’re decent with their defense. The Bulls are tied for 13th — with the Detroit Pistons — in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing 103.4 points per 100 possessions.
They’re a solid rebounding team. The Bulls are tied for 11th in the league — along with the Phoenix Suns — as far as rebound rate, rebounding 50.1 percent of missed shots.
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Injuries:
Derrick Rose hyper-extended his elbow against the Pacers Wednesday. The X-Rays have come back as negative so he has been ruled as PROBABLE for tonight.
Taj Gibson has been dealing with a rib injury since Wednesday’s match up with the Indiana Pacers, where he had to leave the game and did not return. His status is QUESTIONABLE for tonight.
Cameron Bairstow has been dealing with a back injury and has missed a few games a result. His status will likely be OUT tonight.
Source: K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune
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Three Things to Watch:
Prediction:
105-98 in a Rockets’ win!
The Rockets are back at home to take on the Bulls at Toyota Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT.
The game will be televised on TNT and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME), Sirius/XM/SXM Internet 884 and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!