Regular Season Game 56
Wizards (31-24) at Bulls (19-35)
February 10, 2018 at 8:00 PM United Center | Chicago, IL
TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: WSH -5.0
(Photo: Ned Dishman via Getty Images)
What to Watch:
Bradley Beal Bouncing Back
Against the Boston Celtics on Thursday, Beal finished with 18 points, a career-high tying nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 44 minutes, but did not have a good game despite the stat stuffing line. The All-Star shooting guard was a miserable 7-of-27 from the field despite making his first two shots of the game. Whether it be due to inconsistent officiating or a lack of aggression, Beal only have one free throw, which was only the result of a technical. Beal will look to revert to his New Year's Eve game where he dropped 39 points on 16-of-29 shooting, nine assists, and nine rebounds in 45 minutes to lead Washington to a 114-110 victory.
Key Matchup:
Marcin Gortat vs. Robin Lopez
Whether because it be for a poorly constructed tweet or poor play at times, the at one time beloved center for the Washington Wizards is now seemingly in the fan's doghouse. He will have a chance to atone for his miscoming on Saturday by shutting down Robin Lopez. The Stanford product had 16 points on 7-of-8 hooting in just 21 minutes in the last matchup between the two teams. If Gortat can minimize, let alone beat up on, Lopez, then the Wizards will have a successful business trip to the Windy City.
X-Factor:
Tanking Bulls Availability
Since the last meeting against the Wizards, the Bulls have further expanded upon their tanking plans by shipping off Nikola Mirotic, the New Year's Eve game's team leading scorer, to New Orleans. The Bulls will likely also be without their second leading scorer from that game in Kris Dunn who had 19 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds due to a mouth and head injury. Moreover, the Bulls played late Friday night at home against Minnesota and will likely have less leg resources on the second night of a back-to-back. With Zach LaVine coming back from his ACL injury, he will miss the Wizards game again as he is currently not playing in back-to-backs.
Fun Factor:
Remembering Old Times
Unfortunately, there will not be an encore of Zach LaVine's 35 point performance against his former team last night, so let us just remember the good old days of Nene whopping Jimmy Butler.
Prediction:
Washington will take care of the rebuilding Chicago Bulls in the penultimate game before a much needed All-Star break.