At the start of 2013, hope was high for both the Chicago Bulls and the Memphis Grizzlies. However, for the first two months of the season, they were both two of the NBA's worst teams. Injuries were to blame for Chicago while Memphis simply struggled. Now in the final stretch of the season, the Bulls and Grizzlies have turned things around and both have top records in their conferences.
Chicago and Memphis combine for a 43-18 record in the past two months after going 25-35 in the first two months of the year. Chicago is currently surging at the right time, having won 11 of their last 13 games, putting together a five-game win streak in the process.
The Bulls looked as balanced as ever, beating opponents by an average of 19.6 points. Reserves like DJ Augustin and Taj Gibson combined for 48 points against the Detroit Pistons while eight players have put up at least 19 points apiece while the team has gone 10-2. Joakim Noah is averaging 13.3 points and 11.5 rebounds during that stretch while shooting 54.0 percent overall.
On the other side, Memphis is trying to bounce back from a lopsided loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The team was outscored 34-16 in the final quarterback while shooting just 43.0 percent. They had been averaging 53.3 percent overall in the three previous games. Mike Conley went scoreless on the night while committing eight turnovers. Ed Davis also went scoreless in the first 13 minutes of play.
The Grizzlies might be without Zach Randolph once again who is suffering from flu like symptoms. He was limited to just 10 points when the team lost to Chicago back at the end of December. HE has been averaging 17.3 points per game. The Bulls hold the all-time record against the Grizzlies and playing at home should help them extend that.
