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Struggling Bulls host Pacers Wednesday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 3/18/2015  at  12:27:00 PM
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INDIANA PACERS (30-36)

at CHICAGO BULLS (40-28)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -2.0, Total: 189.5

The Bulls will be looking to put an end to their recent struggles when they host the Pacers Wednesday.

The Pacers were blown out by the Raptors in Indiana on Monday, losing 117-98 as 5-point home favorites. Indiana has now lost two straight games both SU and ATS, but the team had won seven straight games SU before this losing streak. The Bulls, meanwhile, lost 109-100 as 7-point road underdogs versus the Thunder on Sunday. Chicago has now lost two straight games and five of its past six both SU and ATS. The Bulls have been miserable on the glass recently, being outrebounded by a total of 42 in their past two games. These teams have already played three times this season and the Pacers are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS in those games. Indiana is also 7-4 SU and ATS when facing Chicago over the past three seasons. Chicago is just 9-24 ATS after playing a road game this season. The team is, however, 23-9 ATS when revenging a loss versus an opponent of 10 points or more over the past two seasons. Indiana, meanwhile, is 13-5 ATS in road games after one or more consecutive losses this season. PG Donald Sloan (Toe) is questionable for the Pacers, who are already without SF Paul George (Leg). Chicago, meanwhile, is without SG Jimmy Butler (Elbow), PF Taj Gibson (Ankle) and PG Derrick Rose (Knee) indefinitely.

The Pacers have lost two straight games, but overall they’ve been very good over the past few weeks. This team is winning games thanks to their grit and toughness, allowing just 96.3 PPG (3rd in NBA) to their opponents and also dominating the glass with 44.9 RPG (5th in NBA). The best player for this Pacers teams has been PG George Hill (14.9 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.0 SPG), who has taken his game to a new level lately. Over the past two games, Hill is averaging 26.5 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.5 RPG and 1.0 SPG. He is a very good two-way player, but he has struggled against the Bulls this season with just 9.0 PPG and 3.5 APG. He’ll need to find his offense in this game or Indiana won’t have much of a chance of winning. PF David West (12.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.3 APG) is going to need to step his game up in this one. West is averaging just 9.0 PPG and 6.8 RPG over the past five contests. Indiana needs West to knock down his midrange jumpers and also find his open teammates, as he is a very good passer out of the post. He’s averaging 10.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 3.5 APG in two games against the Bulls this season and likely will need to score more than that to earn this road victory. C Roy Hibbert (10.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG) had 17 points, seven boards and two blocks against the Raptors on Monday. It was his first double-digit scoring game since Mar. 1. He’ll need to be more consistent going forward. Hibbert is going up against a very talented Bulls frontcourt and he must protect the rim and provide some solid contributions offensively Wednesday. SG Rodney Stuckey (13.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.2 APG) has been on fire for the Pacers lately. He’s averaging 21.6 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.8 RPG and 1.0 SPG over the past five games. If he can get it going offensively then the Pacers have a good chance of being in this game in the final minutes.

The Bulls have dealt with a number of tough injuries recently and it has forced a number of players to step up and contribute. PF Nikola Mirotic (9.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG) has emerged as one of the Bulls’ go-to guys recently, averaging 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.2 BPG and 1.2 SPG over the past five games. Mirotic poured in 27 points against the Thunder on Sunday but has struggled against the Pacers this season, averaging just 5.7 PPG on 30% shooting. Chicago will need him to find a way to score on Wednesday and it shouldn’t be too hard for a guy who shoots the ball well and knows how to get to the charity stripe. PG Aaron Brooks (11.3 PPG, 3.0 APG) is averaging 20.6 PPG, 3.8 APG and 2.6 RPG over the past five games. Brooks is a dynamic scorer for a point guard and he’ll need to get into the lane against Indiana. If he can draw the defense’s attention then it will really help his big men. PF Pau Gasol (18.4 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 BPG) has seen some extra defensive attention lately, so he’ll need all the room he can get to operate. Gasol has, however, continued to dominate for Chicago. He’s averaging 20.2 PPG, 11.6 RPG and 1.6 BPG over the past five contests. He’s averaging just 16.7 PPG and 7.3 RPG against the Pacers though, and his team will need him to be at his best Wednesday. C Joakim Noah (7.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 BPG) played great against Oklahoma City, finishing with 15 points, seven assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes. Noah is a great passer and continues to serve as this team’s primary playmaker. He’ll need to continue to find his teammates while also bringing his tenacity on the defensive end.


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