Cavs host Central Division-rival Chicago

This is the third of four meetings between the squads this season. The teams split the first two contests, as both clubs picked up a victory at home. Chicago is scheduled to host the Cavaliers on March 31st at the United Center.

The Bulls have lost six straight after winning their last two at Cleveland. The Cavaliers have won five of the last six contests in the series.

Chicago tries to make it two wins in a row. On Tuesday, Atlanta went through the definition of futile in the third quarter, ending the period without a field goal as the Bulls crushed the Hawks, 106-81, at the United Center.

Chris Duhon finished with a game-high 17 points and handed out seven assists in the win over Atlanta for the Bulls. Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng added 16 points apiece, while Malik Allen netted 12 for Chicago, which snapped a two- game losing streak.

On the injury front for Chicago, guard Ben Gordon (bruised left thigh) is probable for tonight’s game and forward Andres Nocioni (plantar fasciitis in right foot) is questionable. Gordon has not missed a game this season and is averaging a team-best 21.0 points, while Nocioni, who has registered 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds during the campaign, has missed seven straight contests.

The Bulls are just 9-18 on the road this season. They return home to host Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards on Friday at the United Center.

Cleveland tries to make it three straight wins. On Wednesday, LeBron James scored 29 points, Anderson Varejao slammed in a rebound with 16 seconds left, and Morris Peterson’s jumper at the buzzer rimmed out, preserving Cleveland’s 86-85 win over the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Varejao finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds in the win over Toronto for the Cavaliers, who have won five of their last six games overall. Larry Hughes scored 14 points for Cleveland, while Aleksandar Pavlovic added 10 points off the bench and Drew Gooden grabbed 13 boards in the victory.

Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (personal) is questionable for tonight’s game.

The Cavaliers are 20-7 at home this season. They are scheduled to travel to Miami to face Dwyane Wade and the Heat on Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena.