The Bulls make the short trip up I-94 for the second of a back-to-back with Central Division rival Milwaukee Bucks, who they just beat and covered one week ago, 117-106, at the United Center.
Chicago had a six-game winning streak stopped Saturday, but are now looking like a contender in the Eastern Conference.
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SCHEDULING
After having their season-high six-game winning streak snapped Saturday in Atlanta, the Bulls are set to start a new run. But they'll have to do it during their only four-games-in-five-nights stretch of the season, which starts Monday against the Wizards. It's the ultimate test in NBA schedule survival, so severe that Commissioner Adam Silver reduced their number for all teams in his first full season and has made eliminating them outright a priority.
For now the Bulls must deal, and travel for the first set of back-to-back games isn't too terrible. Following Monday's home game against Washington, the Bulls take the short trip up I-94 to visit the rival Bucks, who they just crushed 117-106 one week ago at the UC. Chicago is 2-2 SU and ATS in the second of back-to-back games this season and has lost the last two with both coming on the road. However, the first of those two came in New York after a four-overtime thriller against Detroit the night before. So I think we can give them a pass on that one. Chicago's already deep bench will be bolstered by the expected return of Joakim Noah.
INJURIES
The Bulls are expecting to get Noah back in the lineup this week after the center missed nine games recovering from a left shoulder injury. The team went 7-2 in those games and coach Fred Hoiberg isn't concerned that Noah's reappearance will cause chemistry issues. Also, veteran Mike Dunleavy, who has yet to play since having back surgery before training camp, isn't expected to play any time in the next few weeks.
O.J. Mayo tweaked his hamstring Friday against Dallas and didn't play Sunday in New York. Along with Greivis Vasquez and Jerryd Bayless, he's one of three Milwaukee guards questionable to play entering the week. Vasquez remains out after ankle surgery and Bayless is still recovering from a sprained ankle.
KEY MATCHUP
Michael Carter-Williams has given the Bucks a lovely Christmas present; a true, starting quality point guard. Since the holiday, MCW is averaging 12.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks with just two turnovers per game. He's also shooting 47 percent from the field and making a robust 60 percent of his three-pointers – though he's only attempted five. Since Christmas he has yet to record five turnovers in a single game, something he'd done four times before then. It helps having one of the best point guards in the NBA as his coach and Jason Kidd has worked with Carter-Williams on his mental game. He isn't forcing shots as much as taking better ones, and setting up his teammates when they have better looks. The change has resulted in lower turnover numbers and a higher field goal percentage and assists per game. MCW scored 20 points with 12 dimes against the Bulls last Tuesday and flirted with a triple-double going for 15 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a win over the Mavericks on Friday.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
The Bulls appeared to be getting their house in order with six straight wins and seven of eight before bowing to the Hawks on Saturday. Now, for the first time this season, they'll play four games in five nights with Tuesday's contest the second in that stretch. Chicago has benefitted from a deep bench this season and the work of reserves will be important in this run with veteran Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose likely to get a break in minutes or even a game. The expected return of Noah from his shoulder injury will help in spreading out the minutes and the Bulls shouldn't be affected by the stretch, unless they have another quadruple overtime game in the front of a back-to-back. It's been a troubling season for the Bucks, who have regressed after reaching the playoffs last season and falling to the Bulls in the opening round.
Chicago 97, Milwaukee 91
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