Wizards, Bulls Meet in Key Clash
Washington (39-39)
(+3.5, 198)
at Chicago (37-41), 8 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
The slumping Washington Wizards hope desperately to turn things around as they head into Chicago to take on the surging Bulls Friday night in a key late-season Eastern Conference match-up.
The Wizards have dropped four games in a row, including a tough 100-97 decision to Milwaukee Wednesday as four-point road underdogs.
The Bulls, on the other hand, have won six of their last seven games after toughing out a 96-90 victory over Atlanta Wednesday as four-point road chalk.
Washington sits in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference race with just four games to play. But with Indiana, Milwaukee, Chicago and Philadelphia all within two games of the Wizards, any further stumble could put Washington on the outside come the post-season.
The Bulls are tied with Philly for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, but own the tie-breaker over the Sixers with a better conference record.
Washington is 38-38 against the spread this season, 14-25 straight up and 20-19 ats on the road.
Chicago is 39-39 vs. the number this season, 19-20 straight up and 17-22 ats at home.
Washington has won 10 of the last 16 games in the series with Chicago, but the Bulls have won two of three meetings this season. In their most recent encounter, the Wizards beat Chicago 113-104 as seven-point home favorites a month ago.
Washington is shooting 45% from the field on the season, but just 40% during their current four-game losing streak. The Wizards also are shooting 36% from 3-point range and 76% from the free-throw line.
The Bulls are shooting 44% from the floor, a solid 38%, fifth-best in the league, from 3-point range and 74% from the line.
Washington, on average, gets outrebounded by about one board a game, while Chicago outrebounds foes by about one a game.
On the defensive end, though, the Bulls lead the league by holding opponents to just 43% field goal shooting, while the Wizards allow foes to hit at a 47% clip from the floor, 7th-most generous in the league.
Washington’s Caron Butler (17 points, 6 rebounds per game) has missed the team’s last four games with a thumb injury, and is doubtful for tonight’s game.
Chicago has it’s own injury problems. Luol Deng (14 points, 7 rebounds pg) has missed the last three games after suffering a concussion, and is questionable for tonight, as is Chris Duhon (9 points, 5 assists pg), who missed Wednesday’s game with back problems.
The over is a collective 82-73 in Wizards and Bulls games this season. Also, the over is 6-2-1 in the last nine games in the series between these two teams.
The Ultimatecapper Pick: The Bulls have spooked us all year long. Passing!
