| |
|
Bulls vs. Mavs -- Must-see TV
By Fakhouri Amjid PhilBoxing.com Sun, 22 Apr 2012

CHICAGO -- Every Bulls home game is an event in this city of broad shoulders, a must-see for loyal fans who regularly fill the United Center to capacity
But Saturday night's tip-off isn't just another home game in late April. This one carries serious playoffs consequences for both protagonists and the action will be broadcast by TV giant ESPN.
It's the Chicago Bulls versus the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks at the Bulls arena also known as The House Michael Jordan Built.
At stake for the 47-16 Bulls is their standing as the No.1 playoffs seed in the Eastern Conference, a hold that is now being seriously threatened by the surging Miami Heat, who beat the Bulls on Thursday and narrowed the two rivals' gap at 1.5 games.
The Mavericks have already clinched a playoffs berth in the hotly-contested Western Conference, but with a 35-28 won-lost record the world champs are a mere No.6 seed. With a win, however, they kick the doors wide open for the possibility of moving up to a No.5 seed.
Although they lost a chunk of their championship roster to free agency --- Tyson Chandler went to the New York Knicks, JJ Barea is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Caron Butler migrated to the Los Angeles Clippers --- the Mavs are still a force to reckon with, a deadly quintet that averages 96.1 points per game this season.
And, yes, Dallas still has one of the deadliest weapons in the NBA --- sweet-shooting Dirk Nowitzki. The 7-foot- German, who was last June's NBA Finals MVP, is norming 21.7 points per game this season.
The Bulls, on the other hand, have Derrick Rose at the helm. Unfortunately, the reigning league MVP has missed 26 games due to a plague of injuries. The 6-foot-3 sparkplug will likely sit out in this clash of NBA titans, no thanks to an ailing right foot.
CJ Watson is expected to start in Rose's stead. And without their superstar, the Bulls will look for offensive firepower from versatile Luol Deng, bruiser Carlos Boozer, 3-point specialist Kyle Korver and the streaky John Lucas III.
The Bulls' highly-regarded Bench Mob and their team's tenacious defense are also vital keys that will help hold off the Mavericks. (Fakhouri Amjid)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Fakhouri Amjid.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange final words at Press Conference ahead of 'The Comeback' By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026SYDNEY SHOWDOWN: Spence and Tszyu Exchange Final Verbal Barbs; Undercard Weight Drama Unfolds at Press Conference By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 24 Jul 2026“BUTTERFLY BRAWL” MARKS RETURN TO ICONIC SANTA MONICA PIER By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026AIM Jerick Faeldonia vying for Bangkok chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel , Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4 By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2 By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|