Preview:
Washington At Chicago
When: 8:00 PM
ET, Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
The
Chicago Bulls try to continue to build momentum and move into the No.
5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs when they host the
Washington Wizards in the regular-season finale for both squads.
Chicago is tied with the Atlanta Hawks for the fifth seed
but the Bulls own the
tiebreaker between the teams if they finish in a tie.
The Wizards are hoping for a good finish to another disappointing season, especially after blowing a 17-point lead in a loss to Brooklyn on Monday. It was the fifth straight loss for Washington, which at one point was looking to contend for the ninth spot in the East but could drop to as low as 12th with another setback.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Washington), Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (29-52): After playing a lot better with guard John Wall back in the lineup, the Wizards have seemingly mailed it in over the last week or so, which hasn't sat well with coach Randy Wittman. Losing to a Nets' team that was sitting four of its five regular starters Monday, the Wizards gave up 33 points in the fourth quarter and lost by five. “I don't care if this is the second-to-last game or not, you've got to have a little bit of pride to play defense in the fourth quarter to win a game,” Wittman said after the contest.
ABOUT THE BULLS (44-37): Chicago looked like a different team in Monday's win over Orlando, thanks in part to the recent return to health of Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. While Derrick Rose may not be back on the court, the Bulls will greatly benefit to having the frontcourt trio ready to go for the postseason. Deng, who has been hampered by a hip injury, played well by hitting 8-of-11 and scoring 18 points in the win over Orlando. Noah and Gibson combined for 18 points and six rebounds as Chicago snapped a two-game losing streak.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. With a victory, Washington would win the season series from Chicago for the first time since the 2007-08 campaign.
2. The Bulls are the first team in NBA history to go an entire season without either a four-game winning or losing streak.
3. Washington G John Wall has averaged 25.8 points over his last 12 games, including a 27-point, nine-assist, eight-rebound performance in a win over Chicago April 2.
PREDICTION: Bulls 98, Wizards 88
Stats and Records
Team Comparison
| |
W/L |
Strk |
Home |
Away |
Day |
Night |
Div |
Conf |
| Washington |
- |
L5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
5-11 |
15-36 |
| Chicago |
- |
W1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
9-7 |
33-18 |
Last Meeting
|
Washington |
Chicago |
| Date |
Away |
Home |
Pts |
Reb |
FG% |
Pts |
Reb |
FG% |
| 4/2/13 |
CHI 86 |
WAS 90 |
90 |
51 |
42.3 |
86 |
45 |
39.3 |
| Season |
| Points |
Player |
Total |
FG% |
FTM |
| WAS |
N/A |
| CHI |
N/A |
| Rebounds |
Player |
Total |
Off |
Def |
| WAS |
N/A |
| CHI |
N/A |
| Assists |
Player |
|
| WAS |
N/A |
| CHI |
N/A |
Quickchart Matchup
 Chicago Off vs
 Washington Def
|
? Points For
? Points Against
0.0 FG%
0.0 FG%
? Reb
? Reb
|