Bobcats at Bulls
THE STORY: The Chicago Bulls have shown they can cope well without MVP Derrick Rose (left big toe), winning two of the three games he has missed this week - including a 114-75 rout in Cleveland on Friday night, the worst home loss ever for the Cavaliers. The Bulls will try to run their home record to 7-0 Saturday night when they host the well-rested Charlotte Bobcats. In six home games, the Bulls have held opponents to 71.8 points per game and 36.7 percent shooting from the field. The Bulls lead the NBA in defense (85.8 points against per game) while Charlotte is dead last, giving up 101.7. Charlotte has been off since Tuesday when it lost 96-89 at Orlando. Coach Paul Silas plans to stick with forward Tyrus Thomas, who was just 2 of 10 for seven points and two rebounds against the Magic. “He has his chance to get it done,” Silas said. “If not, then in the future I'll have to make a decision.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Bobcats), Comcast SportsNet (Bulls)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (3-12): Rookie power forward Bismack Biyombo played so well against Orlando’s Dwight Howard that coach Paul Silas decided to make him the permanent backup to starting center Byron Mullens. Biyombo had a career-high 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting and a career-high 10 rebounds “Defensively, he’ll be very good at rebounding and running the court,” Silas said. “He got a block the other night, ran the court and got a dunk at the other end. That doesn’t happen that often.”
ABOUT THE BULLS (14-3): Rose is likely to sit out his fourth consecutive game tonight as he has yet to indicate he is ready to go. “Here's the thing about our team: We have more than enough to win with,” coach Tom Thibodeau told the Chicago Tribune. “If he's injured, he doesn't play. If he can tolerate the pain and feels good enough, then he'll play. That's the way it is. It's the NBA.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago’s Richard Hamilton needs 36 points to become the 120th player in history to reach 15,000 for his career.
2. Charlotte is 0-10 when trailing after three quarters.
3. Chicago guard Taj Gibson sprained his ankle Friday against Cleveland and did not return.