Bulls and Celtics clash in the Windy City
Basketball Betting Lines
02/16/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Central Division-leading Chicago Bulls resume a six- game homestand tonight aiming for a measure of revenge over the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics snapped a five-game winning streak by the Bulls in Beantown, 95-91, this past Sunday behind Rajon Rondo's ninth career triple- double with 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds.
Of course Chicago was without reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose in that one. The All-Star, who has missed three straight games with an ailing lower back, had an MRI earlier this week that revealed no structural damage but the feeling is that the Bulls will be very cautious with Rose and he is expected to sit again tonight.
"[It's] getting better," Rose said when talking about his back. "I shouldn't have any problems in the long run. I'm going to take my time and be smart."
Chicago improved to 6-2 without Rose, who has also missed some time with a toe injury, with a 121-115 win over Sacramento on Tuesday night.
Luol Deng had 23 points and 11 assists in that one as the Bulls survived after nearly blowing a 19-point lead. Joakim Noah added 22 points and 11 rebounds as Chicago bounced back from its loss to Boston to win for the sixth time in their last seven games and improve to a gaudy 10-1 at the United Center.
"It feels good to win. It's always great to win, but we have to be critical and understand that we need to play better," said Noah.
The Celtics, who are opening up a five-game road trip tonight, were not able to build on their win over the Bulls, losing to Detroit, 98-88, in Beantown on Wednesday.
Rondo scored a career-high 35 points and added six assists and five rebounds in that one for the Celtics, who were playing without Kevin Garnett (hip flexor) and lost for the third time in four games. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and JaJuan Johnson scored 10 points apiece for Boston.
"A disappointing loss to a team I thought we should have beat," Pierce said. "The defense just let us down tonight. We just consistently couldn't get stops."
Garnett's status for tonight is up in the air as Boston tries to improve on its 4-5 road record and attempts to halt a three-game regular season skid in the Windy City.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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