Preview: Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz
The Chicago Bulls will be looking to wipe the sour taste of today’s defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets out of their mouths with their game versus the Utah Jazz tomorrow. This match will be live at 9 AM tomorrow on Sony SIX. This will be the last trip of their six-game road trip. Having the last two games in cities like Denver and Utah makes it doubly difficult to win, as both cities are high altitude places. The fact that the Jazz have been on a roll at home doesn’t help either. Utah have won 11 of its last 12 games at home, and they are 19-5 at the Energy Solutions Arena. But their record still stands at 28-22, as they have not played as well on the road, going 9-17 away from home. But they have now lost three of their last four games. The Bulls are one of the best teams on the road, with a 14-9 record.
“Until we change (our defense), the results aren’t going to be good,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We’re not containing the ball, not challenging shots. That makes it very difficult to win.” The Bulls may have been slumping in defense of late, but they are still third in the league in points allowed with 91. The last time these two teams played, Carlos Boozer had 27 points to lead the Bulls to a 111-97 win on March 10. The Bulls have won six of the last eight meetings with the Jazz, including two of the last three in Utah. But that isn’t an indication of what’s going to happen tomorrow.
Missing in action
The Bulls are missing Derrick Rose, while Kirk Hinrich and Marco Belinelli are listed as questionables for tomorrow. The Jazz are without Mo Williams, who has a thumb injury, while Gordan Hayward and Earl Watson are listed as questionables.
Here’s how the starting lineups stack up:
Nate Robinson vs Jamaal Tinsley
Robinson is averaging 11.9 points with 4 assists in 22.9 minutes of action, while Tinsley averages 4.1 points and 5 assists in 20.9 minutes. Tinsley is older and slower, and Robinson should be able to light him up even on the second game back-to-back.
Advantage- Bulls
Richard Hamilton vs Randy Foye
Randy Foye has been averaging 11.9 points with 2.1 assists in 27.8 minutes of action. Rip has been averaging 10.9 points with 2.5 assists in 22.9 minutes.
Advantage- Jazz.
Luol Deng vs Marvin Williams
Marvin Williams averages 8.5 points with 3.5 rebounds per game in 26 minutes. Deng averages 17.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 39.8 minutes per game. In the absence of Derrick Rose, the Bulls have been looking for Deng to step up.
Advantage- Bulls
Carlos Boozer vs Paul Millsap
Millsap is averaging 14.9 points with 7.4 rebounds in 30 minutes while Boozer is averaging 15.7 points with 9.4 rebounds.
Advantage- Bulls
Joakim Noah vs Al Jefferson
Noah averages 11.9 points and 11.9 rebounds, with an amazing 4.2 assists per game. Those are excellent numbers for a big man. Al Jefferson is averaging 17.1 points with 9.6 rebounds in 33 minutes of action, but Al Jefferson has had 22.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in his last eight games versus the Bulls.
Advantage- Jazz.
The Bulls are now 29-20 and in danger of having the Brooklyn Nets (29-20) overtake them for the fourth spot. The Bulls will be on tired legs after the beatdown they received from the Nuggets today. Unless they get their second wind, the Jazz can be counted on to take this one.