Bulls @ Lakers Preview

Early this afternoon two teams will face off that perhaps thought they were destined for greater things this season.

For the Chicago Bulls, the mark of the #return of Derrick Rose were suppose to make them major contenders for the NBA Championship.  However, the #return got extended for another season. The feisty Bulls are still hanging on to the No. 6 see in the Eastern Conference. While the hold on of the best defenses in the NBA, they are hardly considered on the same level as the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers.

Then there is the Los Angeles Lakers. After kicking some perceived baggage from the roster, they also thought they would be ready to contend.  However, both Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Kobe Brant have struggled to stay healthy.  Meanwhile, Pau Gasol cannot be happy playing for a team that is constantly looking to trade him off. The Lakers are fourth in the Pacific division and with a .360 winning percentage, they are no where near contending for a title.

It is not all doom and gloom for the Lakers ,though.  LA was in the middle of a seven game skid last week. They are now coming off a very successful road trip where they won two games in a row.  They will match a season high three-game win streak if  they beat the Bulls, a big victory for the struggling Lakers.   They will now be riding a much needed wave of momentum as they head home to take on the Bulls.

With this game the Lakers will be looking to turn around their terrible home game record.  They have lost four consecutive home games. They will be trying to avoid making the Bulls their fifth.

Any momentum the Los Angeles Lakers gained during a successful road trip can now be used to help end their struggles at home.

It is important to note that the Lakers will be without Bryant and Gasol in this game.  Nash is slated to play.

The Bulls will, of course, will be playing without Rose.   Carlos Boozer was benched with an injury in Chicago’s last game but is expected to play today.

Chicago defeated the Lakers back in January thanks to a lay-up from Taj Gibson at the buzzer in a nail-biting overtime contest.

All the Bulls key players played well against the Lakers in their last contest.  DJ Augustin picked up 27 points, while Joakim Noah chipped in 17 points and 21 rebounds.

Gibson may be the hottest Bull on the court this afternoon, though.  He is coming off a game where he recorded a season-high 26 points and recorded 13 rebounds.

The Bulls are the favorites to win this one with a -3 point spread according to Bovada. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET and you can watch it on ABC.