# After missing the last five contests with back spasms, Tracy McGrady is a game-time decision for the Houston Rockets when they face the Chicago Bulls at the United Center tonight (7:30 p.m. CT | CSN-Chicago/ESPN Radio 1000). Chicago (16-22) hopes to continue its momentum following Wednesday's 106-104 overtime triumph over the New York Knicks. The win snapped a three-game losing skid. Ben Gordon made 14-of-28 shots and scored 32 points - all season highs - including the game-winner at the buzzer for the Bulls. Kirk Hinrich had 18 points and Darius Songaila and Andres Nocioni added 14 apiece. A two-time scoring champion, McGrady is ranked 10th (25.3) this season. The NBA's lowest-scoring team (88.4), Houston has lost all 13 games he has missed and all 14 when scoring between 80-89 points. The Rockets (12-25), hoping to avoid a season-high eighth consecutive loss, have also been without Yao Ming, who underwent surgery on an infected big toe on Dec. 19. Houston is 3-12 without him this season and has dropped all five contests when both he and McGrady are out. Gordon scored 18 points to lead Chicago to a 94-89 victory over Houston in the last meeting on Nov. 26, which ended a five-game losing streak against the Rockets. Tune in to watch this evening's game on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and listen to it on ESPN Radio 1000 (both pregame shows at 7:00). Visit Bulls.com or click here now for a complete preview of this evening's contest. Probable Bulls Starters Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190 Guard 7 Ben Gordon 6-3 | 200 Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220 Forward 50 Michael Sweetney 6-8 | 270 Center 24 Othella Harrington 6-9 | 235 Probable Rockets Starters Guard 12 Rafer Alston 6-2 | 175 Guard 7 David Wesley 6-1 | 205 Forward 2 Luther Head 6-3 | 185 Forward 5 Juwan Howard 6-9 | 253 Center 55 Dikembe Mutombo 7-2 | 260 Injury Report Bulls Eric Piatkowski (left foot inflammation) is questionable. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com. Rockets Tracy McGrady (back spasms) traveled with the team to Chicago and he is a game-time decision. Derek Anderson (right calf strain), Jon Barry (right calf strain), Moochie Norris (bruised left foot), Bob Sura (right knee/back), Stromile Swift (severe conjunctivitis/corneal abrasion of the left eye) and Yao Ming (left big toe/osteomyelitis) are out. Series Notes Houston has won five of its last six against Chicago ... the Bulls are 37-17 all-time against the Rockets in Chicago ... a Bulls win in the season series finale tonight would clinch a sweep for Chicago, its first sweep of the Rockets since winning both meetings in the 2001.02 season. Rookie Basden Assigned to Tulsa The Bulls announced on Friday it has assigned 6-5 guard Eddie Basden to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League (D-League). Tulsa has been assigned the Bulls' D-League affiliate for the 2005.06 season. Basden, an undrafted rookie out of Charlotte, has appeared in 15 games this year and has averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.5 rpg in 7.6 mpg and shot .462 from the field.
Up by 8 at the half. 50 - 42. No one really standing out, scoring has been spread around the whole team.
Howard is killing us 22 points! This guy has been out of his prime for years no way he should be going for 22 on us. Like MJ said the scoring is pretty balanced. We need to get the ball to Ben Gordon, and let him be a playmaker like he was against the Knicks.
Tough, but great players make great players and McGrady proved why he is a great player tonight against the Bulls. I think the Bulls had the Rockets where they wanted them, they just couldn't stop T-Mac when they needed the big stops.
ok i dont get one thing, whey hinrich???????? HINRICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the last shot????? he HAD NO CONFIDENCE IN HIS LAST SHOT!! why didnt they give the ball to gordon? i understand gordon had a bad 4th and OT shooting, but when ben takes last second shots, he shoots them with confidence, watching hinrich threw that last air ball lay up or whatever you call it was disturbing
