Wizards at Bulls
THE STORY:
The Chicago Bulls can move closer to clinching homecourt advantage
throughout the playoffs when they host the beleaguered Washington
Wizards on Monday. Chicago is two games ahead of the Western
Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder and appears assured of being
the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 3 1/2-game lead on the
Miami Heat with six games left. Washington has lost back-to-back games
and has the second-worst record in the NBA.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CS Washington, CS Chicago
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (14-46): Struggling Washington scored only 65
points while losing to the New York Knicks on Friday and followed that
up by losing at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Washington’s lowest
output of the campaign came against the Bulls in a 78-64 loss on Jan.
11. The Wizards have a depleted roster with guard Roger Mason Jr. ruled
out for the season Sunday because of a broken finger. Center Nene and
forward Trevor Booker have each missed the last nine games with foot
ailments and forwards Andray Blatche (conditioning) and Rashard Lewis
(knee) aren’t expected back prior to the end of the season.
ABOUT THE BULLS (46-14): Point guard Derrick Rose was back on his
game with 24 points and nine assists in Sunday’s victory over the
Detroit Pistons. Rose also hit the game-tying 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds
left to force the extra session. Rose had only two points on 1-for-13
shooting against the Miami Heat in his previous outing as he seeks to
regain top-level form prior to the start of the playoffs. “We have a
good team where I’m trying to catch up with my teammates, trying to play
as hard as them, trying to get my rhythm back and they allow me to,”
said Rose, recently back from his fourth injury of the campaign.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago is 2-0 against the Wizards this season and has won the last seven meetings.
2.
Bulls forward Joakim Noah had 20 points and 17 rebounds (13 offensive)
against Detroit for his 21st double-double of the season.
3. Washington rookie Jan Vesely has two double-doubles in the past four games – the first two of his career.