| |
|
NBA - Hurting Bulls soldier on at U.C. today
By Ricardo Gardunio PhilBoxing.com Wed, 10 Apr 2013

CHICAGO -- The injury-depleted Chicago Bulls host the Toronto Raptors Tuesday night as they continue their quest to climb up the playoffs ladder in the crowded lower tier of the Eastern Conference.
The task ahead won't be easy because injuries have plagued the Bulls all season long, a narrative that will carry on today at the United Center. Already without superstar Derrick Rose, who continues to rehabilitate from a surgically-repaired ACL, the injury list sadly continues to grow for Chicago.
All-Star center Joakim Noah, bugged by a recurring plantar fasciitiis that made him miss two weeks of action, is likely to sit out or play very limited minutes. The 6-foot-11 behemoth re-aggravated his injury after playing against Detroit this Sunday at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Fellow All-Star Luol Deng is also likely to sit out this game, no thanks to a bad hamstring. Also out is reserve forward Taj Ginson who recently tweaked his already sprained MCL. But Marco Belinelli, who returned Sunday after recuperating from an abdominal strain, will likely see action in limited minutes.
Despite their nicks and bruises, head coach Tom Thibodeau has somehow kept the Bulls in the playoffs mix and with a 42-34 record they have a decent shot at supplanting the 44-32 Brooklyn Nets from the No.4 slot in the Eastern Conference, a feat that will reward them homecourt advantage in the opening round the playoffs that starts this April 20.
Already eliminated from the playoffs, the 29-48 Raptors come to Chicago on the heels of a 100-83 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks last Saturday night. Toronto is lead by Rudy Gay, who leads the team in scoring with 19.1 a game.
In their only meeting thus far this season, the Bulls beat the Raptors, 107-105, when Deng hit the winning shot in overtime. They meet again in Friday in Toronto to close out their season series. (RG)
Photo: the author, Ricky Gardunio, at the United Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ricardo Gardunio.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11 , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Deaño settles to a draw By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow , Sun, 28 Jun 2026WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 20264th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 27 Jun 2026July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27 By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City , Thu, 25 Jun 2026IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|