Clippers at Bulls
The Los Angeles Clippers have won six consecutive games and the Chicago Bulls have won three straight heading into Tuesday’s contest in the Windy City. One streak will end but both squads are playing solid basketball and lead their respective divisions. The Clippers boast the second-longest current winning streak behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Bulls’ stretch of victories includes an eight-point triumph over the red-hot New York Knicks.
Chicago’s three-game winning streak is its longest of the season and the Bulls have been learning to play without star point guard Derrick Rose, who is still recovering from major knee surgery. “It takes awhile for a team to get together,” forward Luol Deng said. “I’m not saying we’ve figured it out and got it down, but we’re a lot better than we were in the beginning of the season.” The Clippers are beginning a four-game road trip and have won four contests by 18 or more points during their winning streak. Los Angeles routed Chicago 101-80 on Nov. 16 at the Staples Center.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (14-6): Point guard Chris Paul had a season-low four assists in Sunday’s rout of Toronto but also played just 28 minutes, his second-lowest total of the season. Large margins of victories and solid play by backup Eric Bledsoe (10.1 points per game) have allowed Los Angeles coach Vinny Del Negro to rest Paul, whose three lowest minute totals of the season have all come during the six-game winning streak. “As long as I’ve been in the league, through 20 games, I’ve never played this least amount of minutes,” said Paul, who is averaging 33-plus minutes per game. “I should have no arguments about being tired. I’m also enjoying cheering on guys out there playing. We like to see each other succeed.”
ABOUT THE BULLS (11-8): Nate Robinson might be called on to start at point guard for the second time this season after Kirk Hinrich left Saturday’s game against the Knicks due to a left elbow injury. Robinson had 14 points and eight assists in 30 minutes and committed just two turnovers. He is averaging 11 points and 3.5 assists. The injury to Hinrich comes at a time when the Bulls are also missing off-guard Richard Hamilton (foot) in addition to Rose. “In the NBA, you can find an excuse every night,” Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The bottom line is you have to find a way to get it done.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have defeated the Bulls in nine of the last 11 games played at the United Center.
2. Chicago has limited five of its last six opponents to 88 or fewer points.
3. Los Angeles F Blake Griffin had 26 points and 10 rebounds against the Bulls last month. He is averaging 30.3 points and 12 rebounds in four career contests against Chicago.