Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Washington Wizards

Zach LaVine and the Bulls will try to avoid their second straight loss when they visit the Wizards.

The Chicago Bulls (19-22) visit the Washington Wizards (17-24) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 107-99 road loss against the Celtics on Monday. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Chicago Bulls (19-22) vs. Washington Wizards (17-24)

Wednesday, January 11 – 7:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 114.7 (13th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 115.3 (19th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 31.2 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 99.6 (14th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.7 (16th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 114.3 (20th of 30)
• Net Rating: -0.6 (20th of 30)

Washington Wizards

• Points Per Game: 112.1 (21st of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 113.5 (15th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 33.6 (16th of 30)
• Pace: 99.1 (17th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 112.5 (22nd of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 114 (17th of 30)
• Net Rating: -1.5 (25th of 30)

Contain Corey Kispert

Corey Kispert is the Wizards’ sixth-leading scorer (9.7 points per game), and he’s been one of their best shooters. Kispert is shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range on 4.4 attempts per game.

The 23-year-old had 17 points in Monday’s 132-112 home loss against the Pelicans, shooting 5-of-12 from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Kispert is 10-of-19 from long range in his last four games (52.6 percent), and if he plays on Wednesday, the Bulls can't allow him to have another hot-shooting night from three.

Containing the likes of Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis will be a tough task. That's why Chicago can't allow others to beat them as they look to secure their 20th win of the season.

Big games from LaVine and Vucevic

DeRozan left Monday’s game against the Celtics in the third quarter with what the Bulls later diagnosed as a right quad strain. The star guard is essential to the team’s success, and if he’s out against the Wizards, LaVine and Vucevic will have to carry the load in his absence.

LaVine scored 15 of his 27 points against the Celtics in the fourth quarter, after missing six of his first seven three-point attempts, and Vucevic had 21 points, including seven in the last 12 minutes.

If they can replicate Monday's performance, the Bulls should have enough offensive firepower to beat the Wizards even without their best player.

Noteworthy

• The Bulls won the last meeting, 115-111 on December 7; DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points.

• Chicago beat Washington four of the last five times.

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

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

• Wizards’ projected lineup: Porzingis, Gafford, Kispert, Kuzma, Morris

• Bulls Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Tony Bradley (non-COVID illness) will also miss this game. DeMar DeRozan (right quad strain) is listed as questionable

• Wizards Injury Report: Bradley Beal (left hamstring strain) and Johnny Davis (strained right hip) are out for the Wizards. Corey Kispert (lower back soreness), Kristaps Porzingis (sore ribs) and Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain) are listed as questionable