The Washington Wizards will look to bounce back Wednesday when they face the Chicago Bulls in the Windy City.
This will be the teams second meeting of the season. The Bulls took the first game on Dec. 18 at Capital One Arena 110-109 in overtime. Washington led by 18 in the fourth quarter, but a 21-3 run by the Bulls forced overtime.
The Bulls are a -4.5 point favorite for Wednesday’s clash.
The Wizards are 13-26 on the season, while the Bulls enter Wednesday’s game with a 14-27 record.
Game Time: 8:00 pm
How to Watch (Locally): NBC Sports Washington
1. Bradley Beal, Thomas Bryant Second Game Back
Bradley Beal and Thomas Bryant are expected to play Wednesday. The two Wizards starters returned to play from lengthy injuries in Sunday’s loss to the Utah Jazz.
Beal scored 25 points in 27 minutes, shooting 11-of-25 from the field. He missed all seven of his three-point attempts. Beal added four assists and one rebound in his first game since Jan. 1 with a lower leg soreness.
Bryant hadn’t played since Dec. 1, logging in 15 minutes and scoring eight points. Bryant missed the previous 20 games with a foot injury. Ian Mahinmi has started in his place. Given the Bulls’ center situation, Bryant could land more minutes in his second game back.
2. Rui Hachimura Travels with Team
Rookie Rui Hachimura traveled with the team to the Windy City. He has not played since Dec. 16 due to a groin injury.
While he is likely out, traveling with the team is a step in the right direction.
3. Visiting Old Friends Tomas Satoransky and Otto Porter
The Wizards visit to Chicago will give them an opportunity to meet two old friends, Tomas Satoransky and Otto Porter.
In his first season with the Bulls, Satoransky has started 41 games. The most he started is 54 games in one particular season with the Wizards. He is averaging career-highs with 10.1 points, 5.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
Meanwhile, Porter has not had the same good fortunes. The former Georgetown stud has played in just nine games during his first full season with the Bulls due to a broken bone in his foot.
He was averaging 11.2 points before his injury, his lowest average since his second season in the NBA in 2014-2015. His 9.3 field goal attempts per game is also his lowest since his second season.
4. By the Numbers
Despite their woeful record, the Wizards have had a fair share of impressive wins, such as beating the Nuggets, Celtics and Heat in the last 10 games. Washington is fifth in the NBA in scoring, thanks in large to a bench that averages 50.6 points per game — second in the NBA only to the Clippers.
However, they’ve struggled against teams with equal footing. In large thanks to an NBA-worst defensive rating of 115.4.
Chicago’s bench is in the middle of the pack averaging 35.8 points. Chicago plays stronger defense with a 106.4 defensive rating. Chicago struggles to score, ranking with the third-lowest offensive rating in the league.
Something has to give between the Wizards’ woeful defense and the Bulls’ offensive inept.
5. Guy to Watch Out for: Zach LaVine
Chicago’s guard Zach LaVine is averaging a career-high with 24.5 points. He is also shooting a career-best 39.5% from three.
He has been on a tear recently, averaging 30.2 points per game in his last six games. With Wendall Carter out, the Wizards will have to find a way to slow down LaVine without giving leeway to his supporting cast.
