Keys to Chicago Bulls’ home game vs. Washington Wizards

The Wizards beat the Bulls 102-100 in their last meeting on October 21.

The Chicago Bulls (9-14) host the Washington Wizards (11-13) tonight, coming off a 110-101 road loss against the Kings on Sunday—Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals, and DeMar DeRozan added 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Washington Wizards (11-13) vs. Chicago Bulls (9-14)

Wednesday, December 7 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center

Washington Wizards

• Points Per Game: 111 (19th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.5 (12th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 33.5 (16th of 30)
• Pace: 98.4 (21st of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111.8 (19th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 113.4 (22nd of 30)
• Net Rating: -1.6 (24th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 111.5 (17th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.9 (15th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 32.3 (22nd of 30)
• Pace: 100.6 (9th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 110.4 (25th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 111.7 (8th of 30)
• Net Rating: -1.3 (23rd of 30)

Contain Corey Kispert

Corey Kispert is the Wizards’ fifth-leading scorer (9.8 points per game), and he’s been their best shooter. Kispert is shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range on 4.1 attempts per game.

The 23-year-old had 16 points in Sunday’s 130-119 home loss against the Lakers, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Kispert is 18-of-25 from long range in his last four games, good for an astronomical 72 percent.

The Bulls have to contain Kispert to win this game. He is shooting extremely well, demonstrating the upside that made him the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Wizards will have to find ways to get him more shots, and the Bulls better prevent that from happening.

Capitalize on Bradley Beal’s absence

Wizards star guard Bradley Beal exited Sunday’s game against the Lakers in the first quarter and never returned due to a right hamstring injury.

With Beal out, the Lakers beat the Wizards comfortably behind a 55-point outburst from Anthony Davis. While the Wizards are 4-2 without Beal this season, losing him is far from ideal.

The Bulls must replicate what the Lakers did and make the most of Beal’s absence. The Wizards have lost their last three games, and they will also be without Rui Hachimura (bone bruise in his right ankle), Delon Wright (right hamstring), and Devon Dotson (health and safety protocols). 

This is a must-win game for the Bulls; losing against a depleted Wizards team at home is a no go if they want to salvage their season.

Noteworthy

• The Wizards won the last meeting, 102-100, on October 21; DeRozan led the Bulls with 32 points.

• Chicago beat Washington three of the last four times.

• The Bulls are 7-3 in the last 10 matchups against the Wizards.

• Wizards’ projected lineup: Morris, Barton, Kuzma, Avdija, Porzingis

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, DeRozan, LaVine, Dosunmu