Preview: Bulls at Trail Blazers

[November 24, 2015]  SportsDirect Inc.
 
 The Portland Trail Blazers seek their eighth consecutive home victory over Chicago when the Bulls visit town on Tuesday. Chicago hasn't won in Portland since Feb. 3, 2007, and has struggled regardless of the venue by losing 12 of the past 15 matchups with the Trail Blazers.

The Bulls expect to have point guard Derrick Rose (ankle) back in the lineup after he missed the last two games. "My body was a little fatigued from just running around or just sitting down for a little time," Rose said after participating in practice on Sunday. "So I'm heading in the right direction ... that's what I'm aiming for, Tuesday, for sure." Chicago would like to have Rose to go against Portland star point guard Damian Lillard, who is averaging 25.5 points and 7.1 assists. Lillard had 30 points and a career-best 13 assists in Sunday's 107-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), CSN Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE BULLS (8-4): Center Pau Gasol had his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds in Friday's loss to Golden State but is miffed about the team's outside-shot oriented offense under new coach Fred Hoiberg. In Gasol's view, Chicago's style of attack is missing opportunities to score easier baskets in the paint. "I think you have to play to the strength of your players and the weapons," Gasol told reporters. "You have to utilize them, you have to maximize them. If you don't do that, you're not being very smart."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (6-9): Center Mason Plumlee has posted back-to-back double-doubles and had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over the Lakers. He is shooting a sparkling 59 percent from the field this season and has gone 12-of-18 over the past two games. "I think he is in a good rhythm," Portland coach Terry Stotts said after Sunday's game. "He's shooting the ball, he's passing it, he's figuring out how to make himself available on rolls. When he does bring the ball up he decides whether to take it or give it up to the guard. I think he's on a nice little run."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Trail Blazers have won 11 of the past 13 home meetings in the series.

2. Chicago backup PG Aaron Brooks (hamstring) is expected to miss his second straight game.

3. Portland SG C.J. McCollum has scored at least 15 points in all 15 games.

PREDICTION: Bulls 98, Trail Blazers 95

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