Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Chicago -6.5, Total: 181.5

The red-hot Bulls look for their 11th win in 13 games against the struggling Bobcats who have lost five straight and may be without their leading scorer Stephen Jackson due to his hamstring injury.

Chicago is playing terrific basketball and is riding a three-game win streak that includes road wins over Orlando and Miami. In all three games, Derrick Rose (24.6 PPG) led the charge by leading the team in scoring and hitting big shots down the stretch. Also the return of Joakim Noah has really helped the Bulls defensively and on the glass. Noah is sixth in the NBA with 11.7 RPG, and gives Chicago an attitude and toughness on defense.

The Bulls must not overlook the Bobcats who are the only sub-.500 team to beat them twice this year. Also, Chicago is 1-4 in the past five meetings in Charlotte. But the Bobcats may be in big trouble considering the defense Chicago plays. They are 3-22 when scoring 90 points or less, and the Bulls allow an NBA-best 91.5 PPG. To make matters worse for Charlotte, Chicago is only giving up 81.1 PPG during its 6-1 stretch and the Bobcats are only scoring 81.2 PPG during their five-game losing streak.

Charlotte could be taking a huge blow if their leading scorer Stephen Jackson (19.0 PPG) is unable to go. Jackson missed his second straight game Monday with an injured left hamstring and his status for Wednesday night is unknown. Fortunately, Charlotte might be getting back their big man Tyrus Thomas, who has missed 23 games after undergoing knee surgery. The ex-Bull Thomas (11.1 PPG) had 17 points and 13 rebounds against his former team in the Jan. 12 victory for the Bobcats. Gerald Henderson (7.6 PPG) has been fantastic since taking over the starting spot for the traded Gerald Wallace. Henderson is averaging 14.7 PPG over the past nine games and dropped 20 points on Monday. If Jackson is unable to play, Henderson will have to increase his share of the scoring and put this struggling team on his back.

Chicago has been great against the spread this year with a 37-24 ATS overall record, including a healthy 18-13 ATS road mark. Chicago is 9-3 ATS in its past 12 games and 6-1 ATS in its past seven games against the Southeast Division. Charlotte, on the other hand, has been below average against the spread overall (30-32 ATS) and on their home court (14-16 ATS). The Bobcats also have not been good revenging losses (14-19 ATS) but are 5-1 ATS in their past six versus the Central Division. I like the Bulls to win, but if Jackson plays, Charlotte will cover getting a bunch of points at home where it has played the Bulls extremely tough. The FoxSheets provide another highly-rated reason to back the Bobcats.

Play Against - Favorites (CHICAGO) - after scoring 90 points or less 3 straight games.(82-40 over the last 5 seasons.) (67.2%, +38 units. Rating = 3*).