The Chicago Bulls are not the only team with a recent surprise win over the Lakers. The other? Tonight's opponent, the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are currently at an even .500 record (11-11) and sit in second place in the Central Division. To date their most impressive wins have come over the aforementioned Lakers and the Heat.
But, even with those wins, they've been on a slide recently, going 3-4 over their last seven games. The Bulls have won eight of their last nine when facing the Pacers at the United Center, and on their current five game hot streak it would seem that tonight's match-up will pose no serious challenge. One wonders, however, if the recent news that Carmelo Anthony will likely not accept a long term deal with any team but the New York Knicks will have an effect on the players.
If the Bulls want another win, they're going to have to expect big nights out of Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer who have averaged 24.6 and 28.5 points per game, respectively, in their last several showdowns with Indiana. Tonight's game is at 7 P.M. and will be televised on The U in Chicago and NBA TV elsewhere.