Bulls at Grizzlies
THE STORY: It was just 15 days ago that the Chicago Bulls laid
an historic smackdown on the Memphis Grizzlies, posting a 104-64
victory at home on New Year’s Day. The Grizzlies, who have won
back-to-back games, will get a chance for revenge when the Bulls visit
on Monday. Chicago has been handing out similar results to most teams
this season, boasting a 10.3 point differential. Even when the offense
is not clicking, the Bulls have been able to dominate teams on the
defensive end, holding four teams under 80 points and three below 70
during their current five-game winning streak. Memphis has suffered
under the weight of high expectations early and is missing All-Star
forward Zach Randolph, who suffered a knee injury in the first game
against Chicago.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE BULLS (12-2): Chicago leads the NBA in rebounding (46.6)
and points allowed (83.8) and has shown no signs of fatigue despite
being one of two teams about to play 15 games in 23 days to start the
season. Healthy leads have given coach Tom Thibodeau an opportunity to
rest his starters. Reigning MVP Derrick Rose, who was needed for only 25
minutes in the first meeting with Memphis, has had a few poor shooting
performances lately but has made up for it as a distributor. Rose
recorded 11 assists and no turnovers in a 77-64 win over the Toronto
Raptors on Saturday.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (5-6): Memphis shot just 31 percent in the first
meeting, with Jeremy Pargo, Rudy Gay, Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo combining
to go 7 of 41 from the floor. The Grizzlies have been much better
offensively over their last two games, averaging 101 points in the two
wins. Saturday’s 108-99 victory over New Orleans included a 5 of 10
performance from beyond the arc while Marc Gasol collected 20 points and
11 rebounds on the inside.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Rose recorded a triple-double in a 96-84 victory at Memphis last January.
2. Gasol has averaged 16.7 points at home and 10.0 on the road.
3. Chicago has taken three straight in the series.