The Chicago Bulls are aiming to start the new year on a high note by securing their third consecutive victory as they face off against the Washington Wizards in D.C. on Wednesday.
The Bulls are coming off a thrilling 115-108 overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Coby White was instrumental in the victory, contributing 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. The Bulls dominated the overtime period, outscoring Charlotte 17-10 after allowing a game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation.
Zach LaVine, who leads the Bulls in scoring with 22 points per game, missed Monday’s win due to a toe injury and is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday’s matchup.
Chicago’s current winning streak began with a 116-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. White played a crucial role in that game as well, sinking a midrange pull-up jumper with 31 seconds remaining to put the Bulls ahead for good. White’s performance has been a highlight for the Bulls, as he continues to emerge as a key contributor, averaging 18 points per game this season.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan praised White’s ability to impact games in various ways, noting his growth as a player. Nikola Vucevic has also been a consistent performer for Chicago, averaging 20.6 points and 10 rebounds per game.
The Wizards, meanwhile, have struggled, suffering back-to-back losses to the New York Knicks. They fell 136-132 in overtime on Saturday and 126-106 on Monday. Justin Champagnie had a career-high 31 points on 13-of-15 shooting in Saturday’s loss, but his efforts were overshadowed by a 55-point performance from Jalen Brunson.
Monday’s game was more typical of the Wizards’ season, with Jonas Valanciunas leading the team with 22 points off the bench. Only two starters, Alexandre Sarr and Malcolm Brogdon, scored in double figures, each contributing 18 points.
Jordan Poole, who has been the Wizards’ top scorer with an average of 21.3 points per game, has missed the last two games due to a hip injury sustained in last Thursday’s win over the Hornets. Poole is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday’s game against Chicago. The Wizards did see the return of Kyle Kuzma on Monday, who played his first game since suffering a rib injury on November 27, finishing with nine points in 21 minutes.
Both teams have key players listed as game-time decisions, which could significantly impact the outcome of the game. The Bulls will be looking to continue their winning streak, while the Wizards aim to bounce back from their recent losses. It promises to be an exciting matchup with plenty of action on both ends of the floor.
