Wednesday's NBA Guide: Rose vs. Harris

Devin Harris and Derrick Rose
FanHouse's NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't.

HEADLINER
Chicago at New Jersey, 7:30 PM ET

Yes, the Bulls and Nets are a combined 12 games under .500, but that doesn't mean this game won't be fun. For starters, the Bulls haven't actually been that bad of late -- they've won eight of their last 12, including an 18-point blowout last night in Orlando -- and they figure to get even better as Brad Miller and John Salmons settle in.

Plus, Chicago and New Jersey are currently ninth and 10th in East, respectively, separated by just one game and gunning for the same No. 8 seed to sneak into the playoffs. When all is said and done, tonight's game could literally be the deciding factor in who makes the playoffs and who stays home. Chicago won the first two meetings, and another win tonight will guarantee them the tie-breaker should they finish with the same record.

Last but hardly least, this game features two of the league's most exciting up-and-coming point guards in Devin Harris and Derrick Rose. They've already met twice this year, and they seem to bring out the best in each other: Rose averaged 21 points and nine dimes in the first two games, while Harris put up 24 and six.



UNDERCARD Portland at San Antonio, 8:30 PM ET

This game would have been a lot more interesting if Greg Oden wasn't still sidelined with a chipped kneecap, but the same can be said about Manu Ginobili and his ankle injury. And, in a stroke of luck (whether it's good or bad depends on who you're rooting for), the Spurs will also be without Tim Duncan, who's sitting for the second night in a row with right quad tendonosis.

Ironically enough, neither Oden nor Ginobili played the first time these two teams met in October: the Blazers sneaked out a 100-99 win on their home court. Can the short-handed Spurs get revenge?

Boston at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 PM ET

Actually, no, this will be a horrible matchup. (Which pudgy big man will lose his temper first: Zach Randolph or Kendrick Perkins?!) I was just seeing if you were paying attention.

Memphis at Indiana, 7 PM ET
Philadelphia at Washington, 7 PM ET
Orlando at New York, 7:30 PM ET
Detroit New Orleans, 8 PM ET
Utah at Minnesota, 8 PM ET
Milwaukee at Dallas, 8:30 PM ET
Atlanta at Denver, 9 PM ET
Charlotte at Sacramento, 10 PM ET

Wednesday's NBA Guide: Rose vs. Harris originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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