Bobcats-Bulls Preview

Charlotte Bobcats Status Check:
Record: 3-22
Division: 0-8
Conference: 2-18
Home Record: 2-8
Last 10 Games: 0-10
Streak: Lost 12
Last game: 94-84 loss to Boston
PPG: 87.2 (28th)
Opponents PPG: 100.8 (29th)
Offensive Rating: 94.5 (30th)
Defensive Rating: 109.2 (29th)
Pace: 91.9 (14th)
Effective Field Goal Percentage: .446 (29th)
Turnover Percentage: .143 (18th)
Defensive Rebound Percentage: .729 (22nd)
Offensive Rebound Percentage: .239 (26th)
Free Throws Per Field Goal Attempt: .179 (27th)
Opp. eFG%: .510 (28th)
Opp. TO%:  .128 (27th)
Opp. FT/FGA: .204 (12th)
Leading scorer: Kemba Walker (12.4)

Stats from Basketball-Reference

Bobcats Injury Report:
D. J Augustin: expected to miss 1-2 weeks
DeSagana Diop: questionable (sore knee)
Gerald Henderson: out 2-4 weeks
Corey Magette: game-time decision (strained hamstring)
Tyrus Thomas: probable (eye infection)

Overview:
Chicago is coming off a win against the second worst team in the league… and their prize? A game against the team with the worst record in the league, Charlotte.

This marks three games in a row that the Bulls have had easy opponents (New Jersey, New Orleans and Charlotte). They take on Boston on Sunday though, so sadly their run against the bottom feeders is over for now.

Charlotte has lost 12 games in a row. During that streak they lost to Washington twice. So that about sums up the Bobcats season so far. The closest loss of those 12 games was by three points. The next closest was by six, which happened against Chicago and Phoenix. So even though the Bobcats can’t find a win, they played the Bulls pretty well last time out.

That game was about a month ago in Chicago. It wasn’t a dominating win, especially considering their opponent. In the Bulls defense, they were without Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, but they shouldn’t need excuses against this Charlotte team.

Carlos Boozer stepped up (as he likes to do against lesser opponents), scoring 23 points to go along with nine rebounds. Omer Asik, who started in place of Noah, grabbed 15 rebounds. Deng added 22 points and Rip Hamilton chipped in 20.

Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats with 22 points and nine rebounds. Byron Mullens scored 17. The Bobcats shot 47.3 percent from the field, better than the Bulls and Charlotte also out-rebounded the Bulls. But the Bobcats turned it over eight more times than Chicago.

And even though Chicago won without Rose, he will probably be in the line-up tonight, playing through back spasms. Of course he’s going to play tonight. Why would anyone expect him to sit out against the worst team in the league, to attempt to heal his back before the schedule gets tough again and the team actually needs him?

After all, the Bobcats are the second worst team in the league when it comes to giving up points in the paint (47.4 per game). They could depend on Boozer and Noah to get points down low. Or maybe even lean on newly announced All-Star Luol Deng. But once again it will be on Derrick to create.

Really, there isn’t much to say going into this game. Chicago is one of the top teams in the league, while Charlotte may possibly be the worst. It should be an easy win for the Bulls, and a short night for the starters.

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