Pre-Gamin’: Wizards at Bulls (2:30 CT) – Broadcast Info, Projected Lineups, What to Watch For
Well, Friday was fun! Let’s play with that type of energy today, shall we? The Wizards come into town for a matinee at the United Center holding a 1.5-game lead over the Bulls for the final Play-In Tournament spot. Need a W!
Game Info
Washington Wizards (28-31) at Chicago Bulls (27-33)– 2:30 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio)
Projected Starting Lineups
Chicago Bulls
- Patrick Beverley
- Alex Caruso
- Zach LaVine
- DeMar DeRozan
- Nikola Vučević
Injury Report: Goran Dragic OUT (knee), Javonte Green OUT (knee), Lonzo Ball OUT (knee)
Washington Wizards
- Monte Morris
- Bradley Beal
- Deni Avdija
- Kyle Kuzma
- Daniel Gafford
Injury Report: Kristaps Porzingis OUT (knee)
Odds
The Bulls come into tonight as 5-point favorites against the Wizards at both PointsBet Illinois Sportsbook and FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook. Click on either link to sign up and pick the Bulls to cover (… or pick the opposite …)!
What to Watch For
- I’m going to do my best not to get my hopes up until we get more consistent efforts like Friday, but wow was that fun. The arrival of Patrick Beverley seemed to inject life and energy into this Bulls team that we haven’t seen all season. Zach LaVine played arguably his best and most efficient game of the season. The team shot 46% from three. Defensively, they held the Nets to just 11(!!) points in the 2nd Quarter. And most importantly for me, they didn’t take their foot off the gas with that big lead in the 3rd Quarter. Not every game is going to see 50-point leads, and Beverley won’t magically fix all of this team’s flaws, but Friday showed that this team can be dangerous.
- Dalen Terry got 10 minutes in the blowout win following his solid game off the bench against the Bucks. He went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and again provided a spark defensively. I know he’s not going to consistently be a 25+ minute-a-night guy, but I really would like to see him get some more time in the rotation. He gives them some energy and hustle that the team lacks too often.
- No Kristaps Porzingis for the Wizards today, and the Bulls sit just 1.5 games behind Washington for the last Play-In Tournament spot. Win this one, cut that lead to just half a game and the Bulls can go on a little run. Hopefully it’s not another Charlie Brown trying to kick the football situation for me here, but Friday got me feeling optimistic about the Bulls.
- Lastly, it’s Eli’s birthday! He’s off today, but hop onto Twitter and wish him a happy birthday!
