The Chicago Bulls (22-6) head in to North Carolina on Friday night to face the Charlotte Bobcats (3-22) for the 8th game of their 9-game road trip. The Bulls come in winners of their last five games, while the Bobcats look for their first win since mid January, having lost 12 games in a row.
In January 17, the Bulls visited the Bobcats for the first time of the season, winning 95-89 in game without Derrick Rose, who was recovering from turf toe that night. Rose is apparently going to be able to play on Friday night, telling CSN reporter Aggrey Sam that his recent back spasms have rendered his back "a little tight, but," Rose said, "I should be able to deal with it."
Rose has had his minutes limited lately as he recovers, but fortunately for the Bulls, their last several opponents have been losing teams.
F Luol Deng, F Carlos Boozer and G Richard Hamilton all crossed into 20 points in the last Bulls-Bobcats, while C Omer Asik -- filling in for a then-injured C Joakim Noah -- snatched 15 rebounds. Hamilton is doubtful for Friday night's game, but with Rose presumably able to go, the team should be well within reach of an easy win.
Gametime: 6:00 p.m. CST, Friday, Feb. 10
Television: CSN-Chicago
Radio: ESPN 1000 AM
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