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Miller, Salmons likely to join Bulls vs. Nuggets

Feb 20, 2009 - 3:14 PM Denver (37-17) at Chicago (24-30) 8:30 p.m. EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls are depending on some new players to power their playoff push.

The Bulls hope to welcome Brad Miller and John Salmons to the lineup on Friday when they host the Denver Nuggets.

Chicago pulled to within 1 1/2 games of Milwaukee (27-30) for eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings after forging a 113-104 victory over the Bucks on Tuesday.

The win came hours after the Bulls acquired the swingman Salmons and center Miller from the Sacramento Kings in a three-team, seven-player deal.

Chicago shipped forwards Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni and Cedric Simmons to Sacramento and center Michael Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers, who dealt Ike Diogu to the Kings.

The Bulls had been rumored to be in the running for the likes of Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh to shore up an underachieving frontcourt, but nothing concrete materialized on either front. In lieu of either superstar, they instead picked up Miller, the 7-foot veteran who can provide both a scoring and rebounding presence inside.

Salmons has enjoyed a career season with 18.3 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor.

Chicago could use the new duo against the Nuggets, who have won three straight games and six of their last seven overall, including a 101-89 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.