Seeking Revenge, Bulls Visit Wizards

Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls take on the Washington Wizards Friday.

The Chicago Bulls travel to D.C. Friday looking to exact some revenge against the Washington Wizards.

Tip-off at the Verizon Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.

After a tough start to the season, Chicago (18-19, 7-11 road) has turned things around of late, securing victories in nine of the last 12 games, including six of the last seven.

This run of form has seen the Bulls climb up the Eastern Conference standings and move to within one win of a .500 record.

The Bulls’ one loss in that seven-game span came in Chicago on Monday night, a night the Wizards came to town.

Washington (18-19, 8-9 home) never trailed at the United Center, and took Monday’s game 102-88, leaving Chicago to look at a rare blemish on the record. It was only the second time in their last 10 games in the Windy City that the Wizards have been successful.

For the Bulls, defeating Washington in D.C. and moving to .500 would make for suitable payback.

Chicago’s run of good form comes somewhat against the grain.

With Derrick Rose once again sidelined for the rest of the year and Luol Deng traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, many expected the Bulls to tank until the end of the campaign. But the opposite has proven true.

The Bulls, who defeated the Orlando Magic in triple-overtime on Wednesday night, seem to be finding ways to win, and nobody on the team is thinking about the 2014 NBA Draft lottery. In fact, just the thought of losing on purpose appears to disgust some Bulls players.

Talking with ESPNChicago.com, center Joakim Noah stated that any fan hoping the team would tank was “not a real fan.”

Forward Taj Gibson meanwhile likened the whole scenario to the movie, Major League, in which Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen and a cast of other misfits are brought into the Cleveland Indians organization in hope that they will stink up the joint so bad their ruthless owner can move the team. The Indians of course learn of this and begin winning.

So, the current group of misfits in the Windy City will look to follow suit and continue to search for win with the intention of scoring an upset come the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Friday night in the nation’s capital is as good a place as any to make an impact.

But the Wizards too are looking to silence naysayers. With one of the most underrated rosters in the league, the Wizards also appear to be turning the corner.

After beginning the year 9-13, the Wizards have gone 9-6 since and have picked up wins in four of the last six.

The side currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, one-place ahead of Chicago by virtue of Monday’s win at the United Center.

For the Wizards, a 114-97 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday was the statement game of the year. The Wizards led by as many as 34 points in that one. Now, a second win over Chicago and the .500 record that would come with it will be the goal.

Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards odds for 01/17/2014

Washington (-180) opened as the favorite over Chicago (+162) on the moneyline. The Wizards have picked up four wins in their last six games against the Bulls.

The spread opened at 3.5 and has climbed to 4.5.

The Wizards (20-16-1 ATS) have fared better against the spread than the Bulls (16-21-0 ATS) this season and have covered the spread in six straight meetings between the sides. However, the Bulls are 4-2-0 ATS in their last six trips to Washington.

The over/under opened at 182.5 and has climbed as high as 185.5.

Chicago (15-22-0) has favored the under this season while Washington (22-15-0) has favored the over. The total has gone under in 12 of the last 14 head-to-head meetings as well as the last five games the two sides have played in D.C.

The two sides will complete their season head-to-head on April 5 as Washington once more hosts Chicago at the Verizon Center.

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