Regular Season Game 37
Bulls (13-22) at Wizards (20-16)
December 31, 2017 at 3:30 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: WSH -6.5
What to Watch:
End of Year Litmus Test
Since December 8, the Chicago Bulls are 10-2, which is the best stretch out of any team in the NBA during this three week stretch. Despite their 3-20 start, Chicago is not your ordinary sub-.500 team that Washington is 9-10 against on the year. If the Wizards are going to ever break the narrative of playing down to their competition, now is as good a time as any. With New Year's Eve plans likely beginning shortly after the game, Washington needs to put that out of their mind during the game in order to lock in and focus.
Key Matchup:
Nikola Mirotic vs. Markieff Morris
The Bulls hot 12-game stretch has run concurrently with Mirotic's return from facial injuries as a result of getting punched in the face by teammate Bobby Portis. To begin his fourth year, Mirotic is averaging career-highs in points (18.1), rebounds (7.3), field goal percentage (.503), and three-point percentage (.480). Morris is still not his 2016-17 self, but Washington needs for him to contain Mirotic and not let him go off for 28 points and 8 three-pointer like he did on Friday against Indiana.
X-Factor:
Kris Dunn's Health
Despite a rookie season that many considered would make Dunn a bust in Minnesota, he was shipped to Chicago as part of the Jimmy Butler trade. In a resurgence, Dunn is now averaging 13.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game. Dunn was a late scratch in the Bulls' last game with a knee injury and did not practice on Saturday. He is traveling with the team, but will be a game time decision against the Wizards.
Fun Factor:
Home Crowd Advantage
Obviously Washington has not rattled off the same 17-game home winning streak that captivated the city last season, but they are now 6-1 at Capital One Arena in the month of December with the only loss coming to LeBron James' triple-double. Wall admitted this is no where close to last season because of the poor play on the road and against sub-.500 teams, but after going 5-5 at home in November, Washington is finally taking advantage of playing at home as they did much of last season. Although the crowds are not always overwhelmingly in favor of the Wizards because of the diverse location, the routine of playing at home seems to agree with many of the players.
Prediction:
The Wizards will play hard, unlike in their losses to Atlanta and Brooklyn, but will come up short against the hottest team in the NBA.