PREVIEW BUCKS VS. BULLS
UP NEXT
TEAMS: Chicago Bulls (38-38) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (32-44). WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday. WHERE: BMO Harris Bradley Center. BROADCASTS: TV — FS Wisconsin. Radio — AM-620.
ABOUT THE BULLS: Chicago is playing the second game of a back-toback set after losing to visiting Detroit, 94-90, on Saturday night. The Bulls are fighting to gain one of the final playoff berths in the Eastern Conference but have been hit hard by injuries throughout the season. Derrick Rose aggravated a bruised left elbow in the Bulls’ victory over Houston on Thursday, leaving Jimmy Butler to run the point and help the Bulls rally from a nine-point deficit entering the final quarter. So that could offer an intriguing Butler vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo point guard matchup. “We all remember what he said coming into the season, that he’s a point guard,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said of Butler. Nikola Mirotic scored 28 points in a 98-96 victory over Indiana and matched that total in the 103-100 win over the Rockets. LINEUPS PROBABLE BULLS STARTERS G E’Twaun Moore, 6-4, Purdue G Jimmy Butler, 6-7, Marquette F Mike Dunleavy, 6-9, Duke F Bobby Portis, 6-11, Arkansas C Pau Gasol, 7-0, Spain Coach: Fred Hoiberg (first season). Injury report: Joakim Noah (left shoulder) is out. Taj Gibson (rib contusion) and Derrick Rose (left elbow contusion) are doubtful. Cameron Bairstow (back) is probable. PROBABLE BUCKS STARTERS G Rashad Vaughn, 6-6, UNLV G Khris Middleton, 6-8, Texas A&M F Giannis Antetokounmpo, 6-11, Greece F Jabari Parker, 6-8, Duke C Greg Monroe, 6-11, Georgetown
Coach: Jason Kidd (second season, 73-85; third overall, 117-123).
Injury report: Steve Novak (sprained left knee), O.J. Mayo (fractured right ankle), Michael Carter-Williams (torn labrum left hip, post-surgery) and Jerryd Bayless (hyperextended right knee) are out. THE SERIES
The Bulls lead, 127-108. Chicago holds a 2-1 edge this season, winning both games at the United Center. The Bucks won, 106-101, on Jan. 12 at home. NUMBERS GAME
Career triple-doubles for Gasol, including one against the Bucks on March 7.
Points for Dunleavy against the Bucks on March 7, a season high.
Bucks’ record against Central Division foes. COMING UP
Tuesday: 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. TV — FS Wisconsin alternate. Radio — AM-620.
Friday: 6:30 p.m. at TD Garden. Bucks vs. Boston Celtics. TV — FS Wisconsin alternate. Radio — AM-620.
Charles F. Gardner