Bulls vs Hornets – NBA Handicapping
The only team worse than the Hornets in the NBA right now is the Charlotte Bobcats.
Meanwhile, the only team hotter than the Chicago Bulls, well, is, no one. Which should make Wednesday’s match up between the two, either interesting, or a total snore fest.
Date/Time: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Venue: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Broadcast: ESPN
Spread: Bulls -9
Over/Under: 182
I choose the latter.
New Orleans has notched just four wins on the season, with their last coming by way of the Orlando Magic who are struggling with issues of their own, mainly centering around Dwight Howard’s discontent with the team.
The Hornets stung the Magic 93-67, but have since lost six consecutive, including a 100-92 home loss to nearly as pitiful Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Nevertheless, Sac-town exploded in the fourth quarter, rallying from 18 points down to send the shorthanded Hornets to their 15th loss in the last 16 games.
Greivis Vasquez scored 20 points, Emeka Okafor had 19 and Marco Belinelli added 18 for New Orleans, which was without injured starters Jarrett Jack and Jason Smith as well as top reserve Carl Landry.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
The only good news in this one, was that center Chris Kaman suited up for the first time since Jan. 23 and had 10 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, which was outscored 31-14 in the final 12 minutes.
Kaman will be a key weapon in New Orleans feeble attempt to shut down Bulls’ forward Carlos Boozer who waltzed into New Jersey on Monday and skirted out with a team-best 24 points, six rebounds and five assists, as Chicago pounded the Nets 108-87.
Chicago, who were without the services of reigning MVP Derrick Rose in the second half, didn’t miss a beat as Luol Deng stepped up and posted nine points in his second game back from a wrist injury.
Free Pick: Chicago 105, New Orleans 87– Rose played only 11 minutes before leaving late in the first half against the Nets with lower back spasms, and it is unsure if he will be available for Wednesday’s contest in the Big Easy.
Still, without Rose, I am afraid the Bulls should be able to dish out more punishment than Katrina and the BP oil spill did on New Orleans.
