Bucks at Bulls
THE STORY: The Chicago Bulls proved that they can win with Derrick Rose not in the lineup. Now that last year’s MVP is healed from back spasms, the Bulls will go for a seventh consecutive win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. Rose finished with 26 points and 13 assists in the last meeting between the Central Division foes, a 113-90 win by Chicago on Feb. 4, but his back tightened up that night and forced him to miss five games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North, Comcast Sports
ABOUT THE BUCKS (13-19): The Bucks have felt the impact of missing two key big men. Center Andrew Bogut remains out with a broken ankle and now Drew Gooden has missed three straight with a sprained wrist. The good news is Ersan Ilyasova has taken advantage of his extended playing time, averaging 19.3 points and 16.7 rebounds with Gooden sidelined. Milwaukee has dropped five of six, including a heartbreaking 93-90 loss to Orlando on Monday in which they led late.
ABOUT THE BULLS (26-8): Rose returned from the five-game absence to score a game-high 23 points in a 90-79 win over Atlanta on Monday. "He felt he was 100 percent and he could go. He was cleared medically to do it,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We'll just go from there. He said he felt well out there." Rose has averaged 30 points and 11 assists in the three previous meetings with the Bucks. Center Joakim Noah has been absent on the offensive end, totaling five points on 2 of 8 shooting his past two outings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Bucks seem to go as point guard Brandon Jennings goes. They are just 4-12 when he fails to score 20 points.
2. Chicago should enjoy an advantage on the boards. The Bulls are grabbing 45.4 rebounds per contest, second in the NBA.