[Thanks to Teri for today's game preview. I'll be at the UC tonite. Oh, and there's a tribute to Norm and Red to look forward to as well -ed.]

Like Yfbb said last night this game will be the first real test for the new-look Chicago Bulls It probably doeesn't help that the Bulls now has a 5 game losing streak against the Blazers, with the last three ending in blowouts. But it might help that the Portland team coming into United Center is a very different one from the last time they met.

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[Last minute preview help. Thanks to new best friend of BaB Teri! -ed.]

Since nobody did a preview for this game, as a semi Blazer fan, I did a brief preview of tonight's game. It's my first, so here goes...

The fourth game of the annual "circus" trip takes the Bulls into the Rose Garden to face the Portland Trailblazers. The Bulls had lost 4 straight games against the Blazers, and the last two in blow out fashion. The Blazers holds a 10-5 record while only losing two game at home versus Nuggets and Hawks.

Position Matchups

Center

Joakim Noah/Brad Miller vs. Greg Oden/Joel Pryzbilla

Oden averaging 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this season is another young and up and coming center in the West. Joakim won't have a easy night in the paint tonight battling with Oden and Pryzbilla for rebounds. The key is to get Oden into foul trouble from the beginning. Blazers Coach Nate McMillan has been practicing "2 fouls for each half rule" for his big men.

Power Forward

Taj Gibson vs. LaMarcus Aldridge

Taj Gibson is our starting forward. 'Nuff said.

Small Forward

Loul Deng vs Martell Webster/Brandon Roy

Martell Webster  while he hasn't been shooting well at the beginning of the season, in his first game back in the starting lineup, (after McMillan experiments with a small lineup starting both Steve Blake and Andre Miller) he shot 4/7 for three pointers for 7/13 in field goals in their last game against Timberwolves in a blow out.

Also expect to see Brandon Roy at the SF spot when the Blazers are going small, with either Blake or Miller along with Rudy Fernandez at the 2 spot.

Shooting Guard

John Salmons/Kirk Hinrich vs Brandon Roy

Brandon Roy will create some problems for the Bulls. He can take Salmons off the dribble and is bigger and stronger against Kirk. He can get to and finish at the rim, and also can hit those mid-range jumpers as well. Try to keep him out of the lanes and force him to shoot jump shots is the better bet.

Point Guard

Derrick Rose vs Steve Blake/Andre Miller

Steve Blake has always had problems against quick, small guards, and we've all remember how Derrick totally owned Andre Miller last season. However, Derrick is not at his full strength, but if he continues to progress and attack the rim and pushing the tempo like he did, then he should have no problem against these two.

Final thoughts and prediction

If the Bulls continues their slow offensive pace, they will definitely lose because Blazer  is very efficient in scoring in slow paces, so the Bulls should try to push the tempo. If the Bulls keep going with their newfound defense, forcing turnovers and capitalize on these opportunities and run, I'll take the Bulls 98-94

In Vinny's own word "Run! Attack! Run!"

Check out Blazersedge's preview of tonight's game.

With all the hype after last night's win over Detroit and Derrick Rose taking over the final quarter and becoming a leader, we seemed to have forgotten about Johnny Fish

He's been in a kinda of a slump lately. He shot 3-11 last night and 5-18 vs Charlotte.

It might have been his groin or just an off shooting night. Should we be worried about it affecting our chances in the playoffs?