Matchup
After a disappointing home loss to Denver on Friday night, the Pacers (3-7) will look to bounce back against the Chicago Bulls (7-2) on Saturday night. It will be the first meeting between the two Central Division rivals and the Pacers' first divisional road game this season.
Indiana had been riding some positive momentum after picking up a pair of wins earlier in the week, but they were thoroughly outplayed on Friday night. After the game, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said the shorthanded Pacers need to play harder than their opponents on a nightly basis in order to have a chance to win, a sentiment his players echoed in the postgame locker room.
The Bulls enter Saturday tied with Toronto for the best record in the Eastern Conference. Their balanced lineup includes six players averaging 10 points or more per game. Center Joakim Noah, the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, isn't scoring in double figures but is arguably the team's best player. Fourth-year shooting guard Jimmy Butler is averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game. Veteran forward Pau Gasol, the team's big signing in free agency, is adding 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds.
But as has been the case for the past few seasons, the Bulls' strong play on the court has been overshadowed in the media by the health of point guard Derrick Rose. Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, has already missed four games due to sprained ankles and left Thursday's game with a hamstring injury. He was ruled out against the Pacers at Saturday morning's shootaround.
Meanwhile, Pacers guard-forward C.J. Miles left Friday's contest in the first quarter with a sore right calf. Miles had returned to the lineup after missing four games with migraine symptoms. After Friday's game, Vogel said Miles would be evaluated on Saturday, but thought it was unlikely he would play against the Bulls. Miles previously sat out a few practices at the start of training camp with calf strain.
Projected Starters
Donald Sloan
Solomon Hill
Chris Copeland
Luis Scola
Roy Hibbert
Kirk Hinrich
Jimmy Butler
Mike Dunleavy
Pau Gasol
Joakim Noah
Pacers: PG - Donald Sloan, SG - Solomon Hill, SF - Chris Copeland, PF - Luis Scola, C - Roy Hibbert
Bulls: PG - Kirk Hinrich, SG - Jimmy Butler, SF - Mike Dunleavy, PF - Pau Gasol, C - Joakim Noah
Injury Report
Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation, fractured right tibia/fibula), George Hill - out (left knee contusion), C.J. Watson - out (bruised right foot), David West - out (sprained right ankle), Rodney Stuckey - questionable (sore left foot), C.J. Miles - questionable (sore right calf)
Bulls: Derrick Rose – out (left hamstring), Jimmy Butler - probable (left thumb sprain)
Last Meeting
March 24, 2014: The Bulls held Indiana to 37 percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers in an 89-77 win over the Pacers in Chicago. The loss was the Blue-and-Gold's second straight game in which they failed to scored 80 points.
Paul George had a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds and George Hill added 17 in the loss. Taj Gibson had 23 points and eight rebounds to lead five Bulls players in double figures.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers and Bulls split the regular season series last season, with each team winning twice on its home court.
- Chicago leads the all-time series with their Central Division rivals 89-79, including a 60-23 mark at home.
- Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy spent parts of five seasons in Indiana from 2007-11.
Broadcast Information
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)