The Chicago Bulls hope to creep closer to the postseason tonight when they face the reeling Indiana Pacers, who simply want to remain in the playoff picture (7:30 p.m. CT | CSN/ESPN Radio 1000). The Bulls sit 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are one game ahead of the 76ers. Chicago (33-40) has won four of its last five games following Saturday's 100-94 triumph over Boston. Kirk Hinrich scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half and Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Mike Sweetney each added 14 for the Bulls. Indiana (35-37) has lost four straight games and seven of its last nine contests after dropping a 96-89 decision to Milwaukee on Saturday. All-Star Jermaine O'Neal collected 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks for Indiana. Jamaal Tinsley contributed 15 points and seven assists for the Pacers, who also have dropped five straight road games. Indiana has won two of three encounters between the teams this season. Tune in to watch tonight's game on Comcast SportsNet Chicago or 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 21 Chris Duhon 6-1 | 185 Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190 Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220 Forward 5 Andres Nocioni 6-7 | 225 Center 50 Michael Sweetney 6-8 | 270 Probable Pacers Starters Guard 11 Jamaal Tinsley 6-3 | 185 Guard 1 Stephen Jackson 6-8 | 218 Forward 7 Jermaine O'Neal 6-11 | 260 Forward 16 Peja Stojakovic 6-9 | 229 Center 10 Jeff Foster 6-11 | 250 Injury Report Bulls Chris Duhon (low back pain) is questionable. Darius Songaila (right foot fracture) is out. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com. Pacers Stephen Jackson (sprained left ankle) and Scot Pollard (plantar fasciitis) are day-to-day. Fred Jones (torn ligament, left thumb), Jermaine O'Neal (sore left groin), and Jamaal Tinsley (sprained right ankle) are probable. Series Notes Chicago and Indiana split the four-game series last year, with both teams defending the two games on their home court ... the Bulls have not won this season series since sweeping the Pacers (4-0) in 1996.97 ... Chicago has won five of the last seven regular season games at the United Center, but has dropped 14 of the last 15 regular season meetings at Conseco Fieldhouse ... the Bulls have defeated the Pacers just seven times in the last 26 encounters ... prior to this season's win at Conseco, the last Chicago win at Indiana was on Mar. 17, 1998, a 90-84 triumph played at Market Square Arena - team-high scorers that game were Chicago's Michael Jordan with 35 points and Indiana's Chris Mullin with 18.
big game here (as will the rest of them be). Philly have the Cavs so that SHOULD be a loss and with a win back to half a game.
The Pacers have a lot of size in their staring line-up and we don't have a guy over 6'9 and they have three and almost 4. Hopefully Tyson can get some boards of the bench. And our shooting better be in place.
pretty much even through out the game, Bulls up 51 - 50. Philly got smashed by 33 points, that is huge.
Down by 1 at halftime. Danny Granger is hot right now. Made a couple of threes and and jumpshot that I remember. He almost got that halfcourt shot before the halftime buzzer.
Bulls have come back to make it a 2 point game after being down by double figures for most of the 4th quarter.
DAM!!! Did you see the shots Gordon made. The piped 3, the 2 point shot he almost fell down and then the wide open three! Great game.
