Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread and More
The Chicago Bulls take on the Washington Wizards at the United Center in Chicago, in the third game in as many nights. The Bulls are attempting to become the second team this season to sweep their back-to-back-to-back sequence.
The Wizards finally earned their first victory of the season, as they defeated the Toronto Raptors at home last night.
Here are the particulars for tonight's game:
Where: United Center, Chicago, Ill.
When: Wednesday, Jan 11, 7:00 ET
Watch: Comcast Sports Net, Chicago, League Pass
Live Stream: NBA.com through League Pass
Listen: ESPN 1000: WMVP-AM, Chicago, 106.7 FM: Washington
Betting Line: Bulls minus-13, according to oddshark.com
Chicago Bulls Key Injuries
Richard Hamilton (sore groin)
C.J. Watson (dislocated elbow)
Derrick Rose (turf toe), day to day
Washington Wizards Key Injuries
None
What's At Stake?
The Bulls would like to extend their home win streak to four while winning all three of these games consecutively. The Wizards would love to string two wins together, but they face an uphill climb against the Bulls, who are 9-2 and tough as anyone at home over the past two seasons.
What They're Saying
Derrick Rose aggravated a turf-toe injury against the Washington Wizards, but he quickly responded to questions about him missing a game with this retort:
"I've been having turf toe since my second year," he said. "I'm fine ... (Wednesday) I'm not sitting out, I know that. I will be playing."
Apparently, the injury may be a little worse than he anticipated. The Bulls called up veteran point guard Mike James from the D-League to compensate for a potentially ailing Rose.
If Rose misses tonight's game, it will cast some doubt over the result, though the Bulls should still handle the Wizards at home without him.
The Wizards were ecstatic to get their first win of the season. Guard Nick Young said this after the game:
"Oh, man. It felt real good. It was like a playoff game," Young said. "I felt like jumping in the stands."
The celebration is likely only to last one night, as the Wizards would not be favored on the road, even without Rose.
Bulls Player To Watch: Mike James
The veteran point guard was called up in a hurry. That tells me there is a decent chance Rose won't play. With CJ Watson also out, that would leave only John Lucas III as the starter. That means James will get some quality minutes.
Wizards Player To Watch: John Wall
Wall will have the opportunity to go at inferior point guards if Rose is out. Wall may look to be more aggressive taking the ball to the basket. The Bulls will need their bigs to rotate defensively as they normally do to help out on Wall's penetration.
Key Matchup: Rashard Lewis vs Luol Deng
If Rose is out, much of the offensive burden will fall on Deng and Carlos Boozer. Rashard Lewis' defense on the Bulls versatile forward will be key in taking advantage of the potentially shorthanded Bulls.
Prediction: Bulls 99, Wizards 82
The Bulls will come out on fire in front of the home crowd despite it being the last leg of the three-game marathon. The Bulls team defense is enough to carry them past the Wizards.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.
