Bulls, Nets put winning streaks on the line

New Jersey is the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while the playoff-bound Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers are both 3 1/2 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the Central Division and the conference.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs this season. The Nets won the two the contests and have captured 10 of the last 12 matchups in the series.

The Nets have won four of their last six at Chicago.

New Jersey is scheduled to host the Bulls on April 18th at Continental Airlines Arena.

The Bulls return home after a perfect two-game road trip. On Wednesday, Kirk Hinrich scored 29 points and dished out eight assists as Chicago defeated the Pistons, 106-88, at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Luol Deng poured in 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Chicago, which won despite Ben Wallace missing the game with sinus inflammation. Tyrus Thomas scored 13 points, while Thabo Sefolosha and P.J. Brown both finished with 11 points for the Bulls.

Wallace, who is averaging 6.4 points and a team-best 10.8 rebounds, is questionable for tonight’s game.

Chicago is 28-10 at home this season. The Bulls will visit Chris Bosh and the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Raptors on Sunday at the Air Canada Centre.

The Nets are fresh off a 2-0 homestand. Bostjan Nachbar scored 26 points off the bench, as the Nets earned a 101-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Continental Airlines Arena.

Vince Carter posted 24 points and eight assists in the win for New Jersey, which has won four of its last five games overall. Mikki Moore had 14 points and nine boards, while rookie Josh Boone netted 13 and pulled down eight boards. Jason Kidd added nine points and 10 assists in the win.

New Jersey is just 14-22 on the road this season. The Nets return home to host the Washington Wizards on Saturday in the first of a home-and-home set at the Meadowlands. Washington and the Nets will also meet on Tuesday at the Verizon Center.