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 The Bulls keep plugging along despite their own injury issues and
will offer another stiff challenge to that San Antonio frontcourt.
The Spurs mark the start of a six-game road trip for the Bulls, who
have won six of their last seven away from home. “There's going to
be a lot of adversity," forward Taj Gibson told Chicago's website.
“There's going to be a lot of naysayers, a lot of people not on our
bandwagon. … It will be good to get away, get away from home for a
while, to focus on getting some wins and focus on having adversity
on the road.”
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Chicago, KENS (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE BULLS (22-22): Chicago is without Derrick Rose —
presumably for the rest of the season — due to a knee injury and
traded away Luol Deng but was making its way up the ladder in the
Eastern Conference until Joakim Noah's illness sapped some momentum.
The Bulls were without Noah against the Minnesota Timberwolves at
home on Monday and could not overcome the loss of a third All-Star
in the 95-86 setback. “Whenever you lose an All-Star, you're going
to feel it,” Gibson said. “(Noah) was playing real phenomenal. He's
one of our vocal leaders on the court. Rebounding, playing defense,
controlling the offensive end as far as making plays for guys.” Noah
is expected to be ready for the road trip.
[to top of second column] |
ABOUT THE SPURS (33-12): Splitter (shoulder) could be back by the
end of the week but Leonard (hand) and Danny Green (hand) are not as
close to a return. San Antonio has dropped four of its last six and
has two home games remaining before the annual “rodeo road trip”
sends them on the road for nine straight through the All-Star break.
Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw did their parts with a combined 25
rebounds on Tuesday, but no one else managed more than three as the
Spurs were outdone on the boards 55-39 by the Rockets.
BUZZER-BEATERS
-
Spurs G Manu Ginobili (left hamstring) left Tuesday's game and
will not play Wednesday.
-
Chicago G Kirk Hinrich (hamstring) has missed the last four games
and is questionable for Wednesday.
-
San Antonio took both meetings last season by an average of 16
points.
PREDICTION: Bulls 92, Spurs 90
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