Game Links: Bulls 91, Celtics 95

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Pregame – Big Injury News Breaks in Pregame

Talk about big news breaking before this matinee contest between the Celtics and Bulls. Big time injury updates rolled through for both squads in pregame.

First and foremost, Chicago will be playing without reigning MVP Derrick Rose. Rose has been in and out of the lineup for the past few weeks and was listed as a game-time decision by the Bulls. Tom Thibodeau broke the news about an hour before tipoff that Rose will not be playing today thanks to a sore lower back.

On Boston’s side of the ball, they’ll be missing some key players as well. Brandon Bass, who missed last Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies due to an inflamed knee, will not play this afternoon. He might not play for a while, either.

The knee flared up again after Friday’s loss to Toronto and Bass is out for the foreseeable future. Doc Rivers said that the knee injury could keep Bass out of the lineup for as long as two weeks.

In addition to Bass being unavailable, Jermaine O’Neal will miss his second consecutive game. He has a few areas that are bothering him, including a sore knee, wrist and shoulder. He is day-to-day.

Believe it or not, there is some good news for the C’s. Keyon Dooling will “give it a go,” as Doc Rivers sais, after missing the past nine games with a hip pointer. He has missed 16 of the past 17 games overall. Avery Bradley, who has been questionable for the past few games with a sore shoulder, will also be available for Boston.