Bulls Dealing With More Injuries

Added on Mar 11, 2011 by Scott in

NBA

The Chicago Bulls quest for the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference just got tougher after injuries sustained to starting forwards Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng. Boozer will miss tonight’s game against Atlanta with a sprained ankle, while Deng will be a game-time decision with a deep thigh bruise. Chicago has won 11 of 13 and need every win if they hope to earn home court advantage in the upcoming playoffs.

Boozer, who is second on the team in scoring and rebounding, has already missed 15 games this season with a broken pinkie finger. Deng has started every game thus far and tops the roster in minutes played. Neither has started more than 80 games since 2007-08.

The ailments place additional pressure on the Bulls thin bench and leading MVP candidate Derrick Rose, who is averaging 24.5 points and 8.1 assists. They have already clinched the Central Division and currently trail Boston by 1 1/2 games for the top spot in the East.

The Bulls lost their previous meeting with Atlanta 83-80 on March 2nd. Al Horford matched his career-high with 31 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. Meanwhile, Boozer had 11 points and 7 rebounds. No timetable for his return has been set, although an MRI revealed no structural damage.

Source: ESPN.com