Bulls Welcome Clippers
Chicago’s Carlos Boozer is currently listed as day-to-day with a calf injury.
The Chicago Bulls welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to the Windy City Friday night in an inter-conference game between two sides trying to adjust to life without their talismanic point guards.
Tip-off at the United Center is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Chicago (21-20, 13-8 home) is once more without Derrick Rose, who has now missed 156 (of 205) games since being named League MVP in 2011.
Rose is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Los Angeles (29-15, 11-12 road) finds itself without Chris Paul, who was lost to a shoulder injury on January 3.
The prognosis is much better for the Clippers’ guard, who announced this week that he was hoping to return to action before the All-Star Game next month.
With both perennial All-Stars absent, Friday’s clash at the United Center will have a very different look to it.
The two sides last met on November 24 in Los Angeles, where the Clippers cruised to a 121-82 win. The 39-point differential went into the history books as the largest margin of victory in Clippers franchise history.
Paul had 16 points and 17 assists in that game, while Jared Dudley had 21 points. With Paul injured and Dudley slumping, the Clippers will need input from elsewhere on Friday.
Rose suffered his season-ending knee injury two nights earlier in Portland, forcing the Bulls to take to the floor in that game without their leader for the first time this campaign. The blowout came as part of a 3-11 stretch that had the Bulls looking like they were heading to the cellar.
Things have turned around since though. The Bulls are 12-4 since that stretch and have climbed into fifth-place in the underachieving Eastern Conference.
On Wednesday night, the Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, despite being further depleted.
Kirk Hinrich (hamstring) and Carlos Boozer (calf) both missed that game. Hinrich is now out indefinitely while Boozer is listed as day-to-day.
In place of the injured duo, the Bulls got a strong effort from D.J. Augustin (27pts) and Taj Gibson (26pts), and ultimately emerged victorious over the Cavaliers and former teammate Luol Deng.
Gritty performances like Wednesday’s are becoming the trademark of a Bulls side that was expected to tank the rest of the season just a few short weeks ago. A gritty performance against the Clippers will be in order if Tom Thibodeau’s side is to win its fourth game in a row and 10th in its last 12.
Forced out of the Staples Center for seven games by the Grammy Awards, the Clippers have begun their jaunt 2-2, with losses in two of their last three. The side will look to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday.
Arriving at the United Center might not be the worst thing for Doc Rivers’ club. The Clippers have won three straight and 10 of their last 12 in the building.
Averaging 24.8 points per game since Paul’s injury, Blake Griffin will become the focal point of the Clippers’ offense.
Griffin was named a Western Conference starter for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game on Thursday, and will be looking to celebrate in style.
In six career games against the Bulls, Griffin has averaged 26.3 points per contest. He netted just 15 points the last time the two sides met, his lowest output against the Bulls in his career.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls odds for 01/24/2014
With Boozer’s status uncertain, Vegas has yet to release lines for this game. As soon as odds are available, you’ll be able to find them at the above link.
The Clippers, winners of six of their last eight against the Bulls, will likely open as the favorite, providing some hitherto unknown news of an injury doesn’t emerge.
Looking ahead, here are some betting trends to consider.
The Clippers (25-19-0 ATS) have fared better than Chicago (19-22-0 ATS) against the spread this season.
The Clippers are 6-2-0 ATS in their last eight games against the Bulls, and have covered in three straight games.
Chicago (17-24-0) has favored the under this season while the Clippers (23-19-2) have favored the over.
However, the total has gone over in five of Chicago’s last seven, and four of Los Angeles’ last five.
The total has gone over in four of the last six meetings between the sides, and seven of the last 10 games they two have played at the United Center.
Blake Griffin will start the 2014 NBA All-Star Game next month.
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