Chicago Bulls [25-13] @ Indiana Pacers [16-20]
| Friday, January 14, 2011 | Indianapolis, Indiana| Conseco Fieldhouse| 7:00 pm ET |
| TV: FSIN | Radio: WIBC 93.3
GAME PREVIEW
The Chicago Bulls might be running away with the Central Division thanks to a nearly spotless home record, but their recent play on the road has left plenty of room for improvement.
A night before one of the league’s top teams visits the United Center, the Bulls try to avoid a fourth straight road loss to a sub-.500 opponent Friday night against an Indiana Pacers team looking for a season-high third consecutive win.
Chicago (25-13) owns an eight-game lead over second-place Indiana (16-20) in the Central largely thanks to a 17-3 home record, which includes a 92-73 rout of the Danny Granger(notes)-less Pacers on Dec. 13.The Bulls open a stretch of seven of eight at the United Center against Southeast-leading Miami on Saturday, but first they’ll get a chance to solve their road issues. Chicago’s 96-91 loss at Charlotte on Wednesday was its third straight away from home to opponents that are a combined 32 games below .500.
The Bulls have allowed an average of 82.4 points during a seven-game home winning streak but have surrendered at least 96 in each of their last three road games. They forced a season-low seven turnovers against the Bobcats.
Another problem Wednesday was their slow start, getting outscored 36-22 in the opening 12 minutes. Chicago has allowed an average of 27.1 first-quarter points in January - 3.9 more than the season’s first two months.
“We can’t continue that pattern. We have to play better from the start,” Carlos Boozer(notes) said. “We can’t be one of those teams that has slow starts and rely on ourselves to come back. It’s something we have to clean up, and clean up fast before we get to Indiana.”
Entire preview- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011011411
TEAM REPORTS
BULLS
At times, it looks as though everything will be fine for the Bulls if they get center Joakim Noah back from a thumb injury and stay healthy.
On certain nights, however, the Bulls look like a team in need of more help. They've relied on guard Derrick Rose, forward Carlos Boozer and forward Luol Deng to carry the scoring load all season.
While dropping three straight road games to New Jersey, Philadelphia and Charlotte in the last week, the Bulls needed someone else to help down the stretch in close games and it hasn't happened.
Shooting guard is the obvious weak spot and the Bulls are exploring trade scenarios, but it will be tough for them to add a significant player before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
In the meantime, coach Tom Thibodeau continues to emphasize a goal of becoming a 48-minute team. It didn't happen Wednesday, when the Bobcats scored 36 points in the first quarter, compared to 33 in the second and third quarters combined.
"We can't continue that pattern. We have to play better from the start," Boozer said. "We can't be one of those teams that has slow starts and rely on ourselves to come back. It's something we have to clean up, and clean up fast before we get to Indiana (on Friday)."
Entire Bulls report- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/chi/report
PACERS
Indiana is having decent success going with a small lineup.
The Pacers, who had a dismal month of December, have scored at least 100 points in back-to-back games for the first time since late November. They've also won both of those games.
The ability to have Danny Granger play power forward has helped the Pacers when it comes to spacing the court. Opponents can't sag in the paint and clog the lane on drives by Darren Collison and T.J. Ford. And if they do, that leaves the Pacers with open jumpers on the perimeter.
"The small lineup opens up the court for us and we want to make it as difficult as possible to guard us," coach Jim O'Brien said.
The downside to playing with a small lineup is that center Roy Hibbert's minutes have been impacted. He's played less than 20 minutes in two of the last three games, including only 16 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Entire Pacers preview- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/ind/report
HEAD COACHES
Vs. 
A veteran of 20 years along the NBA sidelines, Tom Thibodeau (pronounced Thib-uh-DOE) was named the 18th head coach in franchise history on June 23, 2010 … Thibodeau served the last three seasons as the Associate Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, where the Celtics made two trips to the NBA Finals and won the 2008 NBA Championship … during his 21 years in the NBA, his teams have won .530 of their games (896-794) in the regular season and have won .527 of their postseason contests (88-79) … his teams have advanced to the NBA postseason 14 times, including three trips to the NBA Finals (1999, 2008 and 2010)
Jim O’Brien has 30 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level. Most recently, he served as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2004-2005 season. The Philadelphia native guided the 76ers to the playoffs with a 43-39 record, a 10 win improvement from the previous season.
THE STARTERS
Bulls
Derrick Rose - PG - 24.3 ppg, 8.1 apg, 1.11 spg
Keith Bogans- SG - 3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, .56 spg
Luol Deng - SF - 17.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg
Carlos Boozer - PF - 20.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.3 ast
Kurt Thomas - C - 3.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.00 bpg
Pacers
Darren Collison - PG - 13.6ppg, 4.6apg, 3.0rpg
Brandon Rush - SG - 11.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 40% 3pt%
Danny Granger - SF - 20.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2stg
Tyler Hansbrough - PF - 6.2ppg, 3.9rpg, 48% FG%
Roy Hibbert - C - 13ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8bpg
RESERVES
Kyle Korver - G/F - 7.8ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.6apg
Taj Gibson - PF - 7.8ppg, 5.7rpg
Ronnie Brewer - G/F - 6.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.7apg
Mike Dunleavy Jr - G/F - 11.7ppg, 5.4rpg
TJ Ford - PG - 5.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.8apg
Paul George - G/F - 5.7ppg, 16pt last game
Jeff Foster - F/C - 3.8ppg, 5.3rpg
INJURY REPORT
Bulls
Joakim Noah - C - Right thumb surgery
Pacers
KEY MATCH UP
LAST MEETING
Chicago 92, Indiana 73
The Chicago Bulls are starting to look like a team that is putting it all together. For an instant on Monday night, a nasty fall by their star point guard brought out thoughts that their season could fall apart.
Derrick Rose(notes) had 17 points and 12 assists and ignited a 10-0 run midway through the fourth quarter that broke open a close game and led the Bulls to a 92-73 victory over the Indiana Pacers for their first six-game winning streak since Nov. 25-Dec. 8, 2006.
The Bulls were pulling away when Rose gave the sellout crowd at the United Center a scare with 1:56 to go in the game.With the crowd chanting “MVP! MVP!” as has been the custom of late, Rose drove into the lane and went up for a layup.
Indiana’s Brandon Rush(notes) moved under him and Rose went to the court hard, his legs flying out behind him, using his hands to break his fall. Rose sounded less than thrilled about Rush’s move on the play.
When asked if he learned anything from the spill, Rose said, “He slid in my way. If anything, next time I’ll be careful and learn from my mistakes. Especially with that team.
Boxscore- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_y ... 2010121304
REMEMBER THIS
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr9ldg2jL3Q[/youtube]
10 BEFORE THE TIP
NBA.com has a reporter in every arena, scouring the locker rooms and hitting press row for all the latest news, notes and anecdotes leading up to tipoff. Ten Before Tip is your source for lineup scratches, injury updates and all last-minute info that could affect the outcome of the game. Every night, before every game, NBA.com’s writers will be filing short TBT blog posts directly from the arena, covering the latest storylines to keep you fully informed.
10 Before the Tip link- http://tbt.blogs.nba.com/
TRADITION
