Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Spencer Hall's Sports Meme Power Rankings

team
player

Blog a BullTalk about the Chicago BullsBlog a Bull

Chicago Bulls

6 - 6

Milwaukee Bucks (1-1) at Chicago Bulls (1-2), 8 p.m.

Sports Network | November 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks kick off a quick two-game Midwest road swing Tuesday in the Windy City by facing the Chicago Bulls at United Center.

The Bucks are coming off a home-opening win on Saturday, when rookie star Brandon Jennings poured in 24 points and Milwaukee used a strong second half to take down the Detroit Pistons, 96-85, in a battle between two Central Division foes at Bradley Center.

Hakim Warrick had 21 points and five rebounds for the Bucks, who were coming off a season-opening loss to Philadelphia on Friday. Michael Redd and Ersan Ilyasova each had nine points for Milwaukee.

"I thought he (Jennings) had a pretty good all around game," Milwaukee head coach Scott Skiles said. "We had a really nice floor game again and he easily could have had 10 or 12 assists. Detroit's guards gave us problems the last two games and kept us on our heels defensively. (Jennings) came out in the third quarter and gave us a huge lift and, you know, got in the zone. It once again shows you a different element of his game."

Jennings just missed joining the great Oscar Robertson as just the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his debut when he put up 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Philadelphia.

On the injury front, Milwaukee will be without its top scorer, guard Michael Redd, who will miss at least two weeks after experiencing soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee.

Redd underwent surgery last March to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he left Saturday night's game against Detroit during the third quarter with discomfort in the knee.

The Bucks finish their short trek in Minneapolis on Friday.

The Bulls, meanwhile, finished a two-game road trip winless after Dwyane Wade scored 25 points as the Miami Heat edged Chicago, 95-87, on Sunday.

Luol Deng tallied 26 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls, who lost to Boston last Friday to begin the trek. John Salmons ended with 17 points. Brad Miller added 11 points off the bench, while Joakim Noah finished with 10 points and seven boards in defeat.

"We just didn't make plays down the stretch," Salmons said after Sunday's loss. (The Heat) made some plays and hit some shots."

Chicago took three of its four contests versus the Bucks last season and has won 10 of its last 12 overall against Milwaukee.

Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Cleveland 10 4 .714 0 Won 2
Milwaukee 8 3 .727 0.5 Won 3
Chicago 6 6 .500 3 Lost 2
Indiana 5 5 .500 3 Lost 2
Detroit 5 8 .384 4.5 Lost 4

(updated 11.22.2009 at 12:52 PM EST)

Chicago Bulls Injuries

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Tyrus Thomas forearm 11/07/2009
Jerome James achilles-tendon 10/05/2009
Aaron Gray knee 09/29/2009