Game Preview # 64 - Bulls at Orlando Magic
by wjb1492 on Mar 11, 2010 9:48 AM CST
48 comments
[Thanks to wjb1492 for today's game preview -ed.]
I signed up to do this preview before finding out that Lu would miss the game, and possibly Taj as well, due to injury. Now I kind of wish I hadn't. With Joakim already out, the Bulls will be considerably understaffed and going against a very good Orlando team. At least there's college ball? I'm actually so bummed about the Bulls' situation right now, I felt nothing but bad when I saw my Jayhawks predicted to dominate today just like the Orlando Magic are tonight.
Nothing but NBA after the jump.
It doesn't take an expert to guess that this game in particular could be ugly - but they're predicting it anyway. Accuscore simulations had Orlando winning 89.1% of the time (64.9% by 10+ points), and by an average score of 100.1 to 85.3. (Here's a link, but it's insider....) Orlando is 8th in the league in offensive rating, 5th in defensive, and have won 9 of 11 since the All-Star break. The Bulls have gone 6 and 6 over that same stretch, but this includes losing their previous 5 games. And everyone's favorite expert, John Hollinger, has this to add about the Bulls:
Chicago has lost five straight, and its defense is in shambles without Joakim Noah; Tuesday night was the eighth straight game in which the opponent cleared the century mark. In that time, the Bulls have dropped from sixth to 11th in defensive efficiency, which is bad news since they need their D to win. Chicago is only 27th at the offensive end, and that number might plummet further if Luol Deng misses any time with the right calf strain he suffered Tuesday.
Thanks for the optimism, John. (Link, also insider.) On the other hand, why should a non-fan be optimistic when the fans aren't? And just to wrap the whole thing up in a big bow, the game is on TNT (7 pm central) - national humiliation, with commentary by Charles Barkley.
So what to look for tonight?
1. JJ getting more time, as he is expected to start in Lu's absence. Or, alternatively, JJ playing the first 5 minutes before Vinny breaks out the vaunted 4 guard lineup. Dwight Howard won't know what hit him. (Literally, unless he looks down.)
2. Derrick's revenge for the hard foul that knocked him out of the game last time the teams met. (OK, no revenge is likely - but do you need a reason to watch Derrick?)
3. The Bulls are actually 5 and 3 in Thursday games, so maybe there's a little magic on our side, too? (Don't look too closely at those Thursday night opponents, though....)
4. Orlando makes more 3s than any other team in the league, so hongydraw can have a field-day cutting-and-pasting comments from Tuesday's game thread. ;-) In fact, the gamethread should be a total blast....
Check out the action at Orlando Pinstriped Post. And may the basketball gods have mercy on us. Go Bulls!
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our defense matched up with their inside game
and ability to hit 3s. Over/under on Orlando scoring 120? I’ll take the over.
by Basketball Smurf on Mar 11, 2010 10:30 AM CST reply actions
You think there is an equal chance they score 131 or 129?
At first, I thought, “hah!” he doesn’t get over/under (not looking at the name). But then I realized you probably do, and then I remembered that the Bulls with Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons, Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng really, REALLY, REALLY suck on defense.*
(okay, none of that happened. I already knew they sucked on defense)
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
I'm contemplating whether I should watch this game.
I could watch my seriously injured, understaffed, undercoached basketball team get destroyed by one of the leagues best (On a national telecast), or I could work on my unlocks in Battlefield Bad Company 2 all night. Damn I love that game!
Derrick Rose. He's Silent But Deadly.
by windycitywarrior on Mar 11, 2010 10:40 AM CST reply actions
Just watch it for jj.
Thats the only reason I watch anymore. After he reverse dunks just turn it off and go to Red Lobster.
by SoulEater7 on Mar 11, 2010 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Suddenly I'm glad I will miss the game tonight
Won’t be anywhere accessible to a radio, laptop, or TV from 7:00-10:15PM
Oh, the humanity.
In the infinitesimal chance it turns into a game or even Bulls win, I’ll be sorry I made these remarks. Cause only a Acie Law-incited brawl with all the Magic starters resulting in suspension will make this interesting for the Bulls’ chances.
Frown.
All your base are belong to Vinny.
WTF, VDN, WTF?
Dammit, plans changed!
I guess I’m available, afterall, to watch the game. I guess I’ll have to wedge my eyes open while scientists put in eyedrops…. ala Clockwork Orange.
All your base are belong to Vinny.
WTF, VDN, WTF?
This game is gonna be sad...it's like DRose + 4 Developmental League guys trying to slay Goliath.
I hope it’s a blowout by halftime so the Bulls starters are somewhat rested for the Miami game on Friday.
…I see Vinny playing a lot of 4-guard lineups hoping 3-pointers (and long crazy rebounds) gives this short, badly rebounding team a glimmer of hope. Problem is, this team isn’t great at shooting 3s either. Ugh.
by KentuckyBullsFan on Mar 11, 2010 11:18 AM CST reply actions
what happend to Goliath again?
David had God. Rose has VDN!!!!
We're 99.9% gonna lose anyway
With Deng, Gibson and Noah out and perhaps Kirk still playing but banged up with the knees from 2 games ago….
So let’s just throw an athletic super small ball lineup out there and see if we can have a nifty athletic play or two in the midst of some national tv drudgering….
Rose 35 MPG, Pargo 13 MPG
Hinrich 35 MPG, Flip 13 MPG
Alexander 24 MPG, James Johnson 24 MPG
Warrick 30 MPG, Alexander 8 MPG, Johnson 10 MPG
Miller 35 MPG, Richard 13 MPG
It’s a loss, but hey maybe just maybe we can see something unexpected for a few plays.
Sit Taj even if he wants to play, he could use the rest.
We’ll be a run n gun team for a day with a great PG at the run n gun….
We’ll still lose by 30-40 but oh well there’s little hope.
7/1/2010: D. Wade comes back home
Let’s go 1 better and start Alexander at SF, JJ at PF, and Warrick at center
Then just run, run, and run some more. That could truly be EPIC….Why not?
by kingles on Mar 11, 2010 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
I'd be up for that of course too
But I know the Bulls brass really like Brad and he might want to play…..and well, considering if he wants to play he should I suppose….besides he could fare a bit better against Howard defensively than he does against others—and no I am not saying he’s in Howard’s league….
7/1/2010: D. Wade comes back home
Alexander seems to suck bad...
They should start Law at SF!
Thomas, Miller, Salmons, James, Pargo, Gray, MLE, and (there is no LLE thanks to the Pargo signing) will not be here with a Max Free Agent...don't get too attached.
I had to look at the roster and google just to figure out who the hell Alexander was
…part of the Fish trade; drafted 8th overall by the Bucks in 2008, but was a bust and sent down to NBDL…has only played about 5 minutes TOTAL in the NBA this year.
by KentuckyBullsFan on Mar 11, 2010 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
Allegedly
He’s a total athletic freak….I’ve never seen him play.
I remember after the pick though ESPN had the Bucks listed as “winners” in the draft.
He’s been a total huge bust, but was a project. Well let the fans see if there’s something there…..
7/1/2010: D. Wade comes back home
He's gotten in
a couple of late game blowout losses for the Bulls. He looks like a Special Olympian who got his wish to play with an NBA team. He’s always looking around to try to figure out where he’s supposed to be. Not encouraging.
by El Toro de Goro on Mar 11, 2010 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
I think I'll skip the game threads tonight
this could get ugly
Joakim on whether he ever tried tennis: "I played a little bit. If anybody on the Bulls wanted to play me, I would kick their ass."
No chance in hell
we’re going to lose by at least 35
Why aren't they selling Rose's all star jersey?
Magic 132, Bulls 91
Why aren't they selling Rose's all star jersey?
I'm game
Magic 119 Bulls 94 mostly a 40 point loss but in garbage time Flip Murray gets hot
7/1/2010: D. Wade comes back home
Bulls 89 Magic 88
pargo scores 67 career high and devin brown hits fadeaway game winning 3.
Last time we played them they scored 40 points in the first quarter
we need to do something about their 3s and offensive rebounds
Why aren't they selling Rose's all star jersey?
110-93. magic get bored with kicking the christ out of the bulls, score like 22 points in the 4th.
"Oooohhh, cat in the wall, eh? Now you're talkin' my language."
Howard horror show
could get ugly tonight Bulls fans. Stay up for the late game, Blazers vs Warriors……..TNT, they know drama!
Ball handling and dribbling are my strongest weaknesses."—David Thompson
There goes plan B
When will or is Jerome James going to play this year for the Bulls? Are the Bulls just eating up his contract? — Jesus, Chicago
James will not be playing for the Bulls this year. He is out of shape and he will not see the floor. But, for what it’s worth, he’s one of the nicest guys in the league.
I'm cuckoo for Kukoc!!!
even Jesus is confused by Jerome James?
Why aren't they selling Rose's all star jersey?
sorry, bad tast lol
Why aren't they selling Rose's all star jersey?
Like slowing down to look at an accident on the side of the road.
I am going to watch this game. Why, I’m not sure yet. I have been disappointed in JJ this season but he has shown SMALL glimpses of being worth a first round pick. He should get plenty of playing time with all of the injuries. Call me crazy but I want to see J. Alex. get minutes also. I refuse to believe EVERYONE had this kid scouted wrong coming out of college. In looking at the few shots he has put up this season, they all seem to fall short. That might be from not getting enough of them up in a game situation or just that he is REALLY BAD. A. Law=Bad & Lazy, and I’m scared to see what might happen to C. Rich. against Howard. I also want to see how VDN is planning to coach this potential massacre. I expect a pretty ugly game but looking for a couple of thing to come out of it.
If JJ is playing (and Rose, by the way), I will watch the game
I still have faith in this guy. I don’t forget that game winner against Utah in the pre-season
Jannero Pargo = Larry Hughes 2.0
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