The Chicago Bulls will try to make up ground in their playoff chase Friday when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats (6:30 p.m. CT | CSN+/ESPN Radio 1000). The Bulls (31-40) trail Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games - two in the loss column - for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Although seven of their last 10 games are against teams that are below .500, Chicago can't take anything for granted after dropping Tuesday's home game against Orlando (28-44). Andres Nocioni collected a career-high 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, who scored just 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Bobcats (20-52) are in a virtual tie with the New York Knicks for the worst record in the NBA. Charlotte ended a three-game losing streak Tuesday with a 125-117 victory over Atlanta in the opener of a four-game homestand. Gerald Wallace scored 18 of his career-high 41 points in the fourth quarter and rookie Raymond Felton collected 28 points and 10 assists. The Bobcats have won two of the three meetings against the Bulls this season. Tune in to watch tonight's game on Comcast SportsNet Plus or listen to it on ESPN Radio 1000 (pregame show at 6:00). 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 Bobcats Starters Guard 22 Brevin Knight 5-10 | 170 Guard 0 Raymond Felton 6-1 | 198 Forward 33 Jumaine Jones 6-8 | 218 Forward 3 Gerald Wallace 6-7 | 220 Center 7 Primoz Brezec 7-1 | 255 Injury Report Bulls 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. Bobcats Emeka Okafor (right ankle sprain) and Sean May (right knee surgery) are out. Series Notes Chicago won the first five games of the series, but have dropped back- to-back decisions since ... the Bulls and Bobcats played into overtime in the first meeting this season, a 109-105 Bulls win, the first overtime contest in the series ... Chicago swept the season series last year, Charlotte's inaugural NBA season ... Robert L. Johnson, Owner & Governor, is an alumnus of the University of Illinois ... Bulls guard Ben Gordon (third overall in NBA Draft 2004) and Bobcats forward Emeka Okafor (second overall pick in NBA Draft 2004) played together at the University of Connecticut for the last three seasons, including their run to the national title two years ago.
That last game against orlando was discouraging for me a one point in that game we shot 1 for 17. But this game is a must win for the bulls. It will certainly be a tuff game but i believe that we will find a way to pull off the W. Ben has to learn how to find the open guy when he is double teamed in the 4th. I predict that Chandler will have a terrific rebounding night. GO Bulls!!!!
This is lilke the only team we match up with size wise, except for the center spot. Duhon > Knight Hinrich > Felton Deng > Jones Noc = Wallace Sweetney < Prezec
First half went really good. Ben Gordon isn't shooting to well, but had that nice layup. We are getting most of the rebounds. Got some nice hustle offensive rebounds. Deng - 15 points, 7-10 shooting Noc - 13 points, 5-5 shooting Sweetney - 12 points, 5-7 shooting We already have 20 assists in the first half.
Sweetney is really re-proving himself down the stretch he has played well ever since being put in the starting lineup, and the team has responded well to his play. The 76ers have a back to back against the Knicks so they have a pretty easy chance to get a larger hold on the 8th seed. We will need to keep playing well to keep pace.
Final: Bulls 113 Bobcats 107 Sort of a scare at the end, but the Bulls pulled it out. Played well in the first half. Did really good rebounding and passing the ball. Finshed the game with 30 assists. Stats: Noc - 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks Deng - 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists Duhon - 19 points, 6 assists
