Basketball / Andy Morris / 25 February 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Losing your leading scorer due to personal problems must have been pretty low on Pacers coach Jim O'Brien's wish list. This will cost his team in Chicago, predicts Andy Morris.

Indiana’s season is already in the toilet, largely thanks to their poor form on the road

All-Star swingman, Danny Granger, missed Monday's 91-82 defeat in Dallas with unspecified personal problems. He's unlikely to be in action against the Bulls, and O'Brien says he has 'no idea' when he will be available again.

It's a body blow for the Pacers, as Granger averages 23 points and matched a season high with 36 points in beating Houston on Friday.

Indiana's season is already in the toilet, largely thanks to their poor form on the road. They are 7-22 away from Indianapolis this season, and 6-12 against Eastern Conference opposition - overall they have a 19-37 record.

This is a tough four-game road trip for them, which has seen them lose in New Orleans and Dallas while picking up a comfortable win in Houston. Since the turn of the year, they have been beaten on the road by New York, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Miami, Orlando, Toronto and Milwaukee ahead of this road trip, their only successes coming against the Nets, Pistons and 76ers.

This will be the third time these two teams have played one another this season, and, including the two already played in 2009/10, the Bulls own an 11-6 record in that time, including three on the trot at United Center.

The Pacers have won just 21 of 74 games on the Bulls' home floor and on 29 December, lost 104-95 here before the Bulls won 109-101 in Indianapolis earlier this month.

Chicago, who are 29-27, lost 101-95 at Washington on Monday to end a run of four consecutive wins, albeit against teams with losing records.

Derrick Rose has been in excellent form against the Pacers, averaging 24.5 points and 6.5 assists in the two meetings so far.

The Bulls certainly won't be sorry that Granger is absent from the Pacers line-up since he's averaged 30 points the last three times he's faced them.

Chicago are 17-9 at home, and beat Philadelphia 122-90 last time they played in front of their home fans.

Those supporters should have something to celebrate again in this one.