Time to Analyze the Bulls’ Match Ups

Since the playoff picture is set for all of the sixteen NBA teams, the obvious task of analyzing the player match ups at each position rests squarely on the shoulders of sports writers like Yours Truly. When the Bulls take on the Miami Heat this weekend in the opening games of their first round series, one such game-within-the-game is the one taking place between the two teams’ respective centers, Ben Wallace and Shaquille O’Neal.

If you go simply by the numbers, O’Neal will dominate the series points-wise. Though the Bulls don’t count on Big Ben for scoring as much as the Heat do with Shaq, the next logical question is whether Wallace’s touted defense and rebounding can counteract Shaq’s ability to score.

Well, the numbers from this season say this: “Maybe?”

Actually, Shaq Diesel only played in two of the four games that the Bulls met the Heat. One time he was completely ineffective in a blowout loss, the other he led all scorers in a Heat victory. This season didn’t give us any definitive answers. One thing remains certain, however. If you would like to see this colossal match up: Big Ben versus the Big Methuselah, then you should check out StubHub.com for some sweet Chicago Bulls playoff tickets.