Philadelphia 76ers (11-16)
vs.
Chicago Bulls (16-10)
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Tip Time: 8:00 PM EDT
Location: United Center
Mortal Enemies of the Night: Blog A Bull
76ers vs Bulls coverage
- Carlos Boozer returned earlier this month after missing the first 16 games due to injury. The Bulls are 7-3 during that stretch, and Boozer has averaged 27 points per game over his last 3 games.
- This is the first game Turner has played against Derrick Rose since Rose's Simeon eliminated Turner's St. Joseph's in the Illinois playoffs. Turner outplayed Rose, but Rose's team had more depth. Rose and Turner previously had verbal exchanges in their earlier meeting that year. Not that it should matter, as 18 minutes in the past 3 games combined.
- Joakim Noah had surgery on his right thumb, and is expected to miss 8-10 weeks, so he will be out tonight.
- Taj Gibson had taken over Noah's starting spot, but he left the previous game with a concussion, and he is also out tonight. Omer Asik or Kurt Thomas could start in his place.
With the Bulls frontcourt issues, Brand could have a big game, as could Thaddeus Young and the Sixers guards off dribble penetration. In their only game without Noah, the Bulls lost 100-99 at home to the Clippers, which presents the Sixers with their second consecutive surprisingly winnable game. That being said, I think they come up just short.
Prediction: Bulls 102, Sixers 97
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