Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -3, Total: 191.5

The Bulls look to rebound from a tough loss with a road victory over the Hornets on Wednesday night.

Chicago lost 132-129 in a devastating double-overtime defeat at the hands of the Mavericks on Tuesday night, which stopped a two-game win streak (SU and ATS). The Hornets, meanwhile, are really struggling this season. Charlotte was blown out 105-75 in Atlanta on Saturday to mark its ninth loss in a row, and it has covered the spread in just one of those contests (1-7-1 ATS). These teams haven’t met since April 16, when the Hornets won 91-86 as 1.5-point home favorites. Over the past three seasons, the Bulls are 5-2 SU in this head-to-head series, but the Hornets are 4-2-1 ATS. Six of those seven contests went Under the total. Over the past three seasons, Chicago is 7-2 ATS off a close home loss of three points or less. However, the Bulls are 1-5 ATS this season after a non-conference game. Charlotte is 8-3 ATS after a game where it made 35% or less of its shots over the past three seasons though. PG Derrick Rose (rest) and C Joakim Noah (leg) are questionable for the Bulls, while SG Gary Neal (shoulder) is doubtful for the Hornets. PF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (foot) is out for Charlotte as well.

Can the Hornets put an end to their long losing skid? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a 61% ATS record (49-31) in featured games this season through Monday. StatFox Gary has a 56% ATS record (14-11) in NBA Best Bets this season, while StatFox Brian is 5-1 ATS in NBA Best Bets since Nov. 23.

The Bulls played the Mavericks extremely tough on Tuesday, but they were unable to come away with what would have been a big victory. PF Pau Gasol (20.0 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.0 BPG) was their top scorer in the game, scoring 29 points and grabbing 14 boards in the process. Gasol is averaging 27.0 PPG and 13.5 RPG over the past two games and he has been completely rejuvenated this season for Chicago. Gasol will likely be fed early and often in this game, as the Hornets are weak at the power forward position. SG Jimmy Butler (22.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.4 APG) has been one of the league’s biggest surprises this season as well. Butler is on a tear recently, scoring at least 20 points in five straight games and nine of his past 10 contests. Butler should be in for a huge game in this one, as the Hornets will be without their top wing defender in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. One of the deciding factors in whether or not the Bulls win this game is the status of PG Derrick Rose (16.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.2 RPG). Rose played 37 minutes on Tuesday and finished with 18 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, but Chicago may opt to sit him in order to preserve his knees. They will, however, really miss him if he doesn’t play, because Kemba Walker would be a tough matchup for any of the Bulls’ backup point guards.

The Hornets are sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and one of the main reasons for that has been SG Lance Stephenson (9.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.4 APG). Stephenson was the Hornets’ big offseason acquisition but he has really struggled to fit in with a team that was making major strides before they got him. He had just six points in 23 minutes in Saturday's loss, and he has not scored more than 17 points in a single game this season. C Al Jefferson (20.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG) has been this team’s only really consistent offensive option. Jefferson will need to have a huge game against the Bulls in order for his team to stay in this one, but he could have a hard time against a Chicago frontline that can be extremely physical. PG Kemba Walker (14.0 PPG, 5.7 APG, 4.6 RPG) will have a major opportunity to put up some big numbers in this matchup, as his quickness may be an issue for Derrick Rose on the defensive end. If Rose is to sit this game out, Walker’s play could greatly determine whether or not this team can pick up a much-needed home victory.