The Bulls are now missing key players including Derrick Rose, who is not expected to play tonight. F Pau Gasol may return to the lineup to the beleaguered squad. The Bulls dropped their 2nd straight road game, 105-87 to the Trailblazers. The positive aspect of the game was the play of forward Nikola Mirotic who scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his best game as a member of the Bulls. Kirk Hinrick, the backup PG to Rose, is still out with a rib issue. The injuries have taken a toll on the team. Joakim Noah, who underwent knee surgery last summer, is playing heavy minutes without a starting forward. One certainly does not want to see Noah aggravate his knee.
The Bulls (8-5) are in the midst of a seven game road trip that has them flying east at the end of November to play the Nets and the Celtics. Maybe then, Rose will be ready to play.