Every November, the United Center clears out its basketball and hockey tenants for ... elephant dung.
OK, so maybe that isn't the best way to put it, but elephants, clowns, acrobats and other performers of a show termed "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents FUNundrum!" inhabits the arena of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews for the next two weeks.
That schedule sends the Bulls and Blackhawks on the road, generally heading west, and tonight is the first of seven games the Bulls will play away from home until they return on December 1.
The Rockets will be shorthanded tonight -- both Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks suffered ankle sprains last week and neither will play tonight. Nevertheless, Houston beat the Knicks on Sunday night, led by Kevin Martin's 28 points.
The Bulls may be without Kyle Korver, who had a bone bruise on his left knee when he collided with the Wizards' John Wall during Saturday's game. Korver missed the team flight to Houston but was expected on a commercial flight later today and it'll be a game-time decision on whether or not he can play.
Derrick Rose was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for last week, and the Bulls have a good shot at winning tonight and getting the trip off to a good start. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. CST and will be televised on CSN Chicago.