Apr 25, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer (5) grabs a rebound against Brooklyn Nets power forward Reggie Evans (30) during game three of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls pulled out a close game against the Brooklyn Nets, 79-76, overcoming a slow start and generally stagnant offense behind suffocating defense.

The Bulls went down 12 early, 17-5, but went on a 24-5 run over the first and second quarters and led 41-34 at halftime. The Nets made a comeback bid down the stretch, but couldn’t finish it when former Bull CJ Watson missed a three at the buzzer that would have tied it. During the Bulls’ run, the Nets missed 25 of 26 shots.

Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 22 points and 16 rebounds, and Luol Deng added 21 and 10 of his own. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks.

The win gives the Bulls a 2-1 series lead after splitting a pair of road games to start the series. Game four will be played on Saturday at noon central time at the United Center.

Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Eastern Conference center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Luol Deng (9) of the Chicago Bulls are introduced during practice for the 2013 NBA all star game at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls are back in action as they take on the New Orleans Hornets tonight.

The Bulls, fuelled up and ready to go after a much needed all-star weekend break, are trying to begin a new game winning streak. Their last game prior to the break was against the Boston Celtics and it was a game we should all forget.

With the final two months of the season now underway, the Bulls hope Derrick Rose will come back. However while that is unlikely, they will see the return of Kirk Hinrich as he was out with an elbow injury.

The first time both teams played against each other this season was last year on Nov. 3, when the Hornets defeated the Bulls 89-82 at the United Center however tonight, the Bulls will try to even the score and move up the eastern conference in hopes of obtaining that much desired number one seed.

In their first meeting, number one overall 2012 draft pick, Anthony Davis, was inactive as he suffered a concussion. However, tonight the Chicago native will play against the Bulls for the first time in his young career.

Without Rose, the Bulls managed to obtain a 30 wins, 22 losses record exceeded most expectations. The reason for their record has to be attributed to their superior defence. The Bulls managed to hold most of their opponents to just shooting 43.3% from the field, the third best in the league. Nonetheless, the Bulls have just won, 1-of-4 in their past five games. The Bulls also need to try and not play carelessly, as turnovers were a major factor in both games against the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics. With both games combined, the Bulls had a devastating 44 turnovers. Going to today’s game, the Bulls have won eight of nine match ups in the series against the Hornets.

The Hornets come into this game trying to extend their three-game winning streak to four. In their last game against the Portland TrailBlazers, they won by a record 99-63 at the New Orleans’ Arena. During that game, Davis had a hot performance as he scored a double-double, 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had 2 blocks.

Probable starters for the Bulls:

1. Guard – Kirk Hinrich
2. Guard – Richard Hamilton
3. Forward – Luol Deng
4. Forward – Carlos Boozer
5. Center – Joakim Noah

Probable starters for the Hornets:

1. Guard – Greivis Vasquez
2. Guard – Eric Gordon
3. Forward – Al-Faroqu Aminu
4. Forward – Anthony Davis
5. Center – Robin Lopez

Location: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans

Time: 7:00 p.m. CST/ 8:00 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN – National, Comcast Sportsnet-Chicago, Fox Sports – New Orleans

Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: ESPN 1000, WWL-FM 105.3

Injury Report/Inactives:

Chicag0 - Marco Belinelli (right ankle) and Joakim Noah (right foot) Kirk Hinrich (right elbow) are day-to-day however likely to play. (Editor’s note: Tom Thibodeau has announced Hinrich will start tonight.)

New Orleans – Eric Gordon (sprained right hand) is listed as day-to-day however likely to play as well.