The Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards will meet for the second time this season at the United Center tonight (7:30 p.m. CT | CSN-Chicago/ESPN Radio 1000). Both teams ended lengthy postseason droughts last April before Washington ousted the Bulls in six games of their first-round match-up. The Wizards were swept in the Eastern Conference semifinals by Miami. Chicago (18-23) tries to win for the fourth time in five games. Although they have reached the century mark in their last four contests, the Bulls are just 8-13 at home and are one of five teams with a better road mark than at home. Chris Duhon scored 26 points and Darius Songaila added 19 for Chicago, which defeated the Toronto Raptors for the 12th straight time with Wednesday's 104-88 triumph. With six wins in its last eight contests, Washington (19-21) can move within one game of the .500 mark. The Wizards, who got of to a 5-1 start, have not been at the break-even point since they were 8-8 on Dec. 6. Gilbert Arenas hit two free throws with 1.7 seconds left and Antawn Jamison scored 26 points to lead Washington in Wednesday's 89-87 victory over the Boston Celtics. Duhon scored 24 points as the Bulls posted a 118-111 win over the Wizards in their previous meeting on Dec. 10. Arenas led Washington with 42 points. Tune in to watch this evening's game on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and listen to it on ESPN Radio 1000 (both pregame shows at 7:00). Visit Bulls.com or click here now for a complete preview of this evening's contest. Probable Bulls Starters Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190 Guard 7 Ben Gordon 6-3 | 200 Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220 Forward 50 Michael Sweetney 6-8 | 270 Center 24 Othella Harrington 6-9 | 235 Probable Wizards Starters Guard 0 Gilbert Arenas 6-4 | 210 Guard 1 Jared Jeffries 6-11 | 240 Forward 3 Caron Butler 6-7 | 228 Forward 4 Antawn Jamison 6-9 | 235 Center 33 Brendan Haywood 7-0 | 263 Injury Report Bulls Eric Piatkowski (left foot inflammation) is questionable. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com. Wizards Washington has no significant injuries to report. Series Notes The Bulls snapped an eight-game slide in D.C. in the season series opener with a season-high 118 points ... Chicago is just 5-11 versus Washington in the last 16 regular season meetings, including a 1-8 record at the MCI Center ... Chicago is 57-28 vs. Washington at home ... the Bulls have won just three of their last 12 regular season games at Washington (Jan. 7, 2000, April 11, 2001 & Dec. 10, 2005) ... the two clubs also met in the first round of the 2005 Playoffs (Washington won 4-2). Bulls Sign Thomas to 10-Day Contract The Bulls on Friday announced the signing of James Thomas to a 10-day contract. Thomas, a 6-8, 235-pound forward, will available tonight when the Bulls host the Washington Wizards. He will wear No. 30. Thomas joins Chicago from the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association where he averaged 19.7 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 1.1 apg and 37.0 mpg, and shot .513 from the field. He started all 12 appearances with the Patroons and was a recent participate in the CBA All-Star game on Jan. 16. Skiles Collects 200 Wins With a 104-88 win at Toronto on Jan. 25, Scott Skiles collected his 200th win as an NBA head coach. Now in his sixth NBA season as a head coach, Skiles has an all-time record of 200-183 between stops at Phoenix and Chicago. As the Bulls' top mentor, he needs just 16 more victories to reach his 100th in Chicago. Skiles is currently 84-104 as coach of the Bulls.
A definate must win to keep with the 8th playoff spot. Especially since the Wizards are in the 8th spot, a game and a half in front of us.
lol, quality start to the game, teams are a combined 2 - 10 shooting. which is good for us if they have a poor shooting night.
Ben Gordon with 15 points at the mid way point. Chandler has chipped in with nine rebounds and three points. Bulls with the lead good game so far.
Damn Tyson Chandler 14 rebounds 6 points. Ben Gordon 17 points. These two guys have really stepped up their game lately.
Chandler with 19 boards now. He has picked it up since starting (and no Sweetney). Up by 7 with 55 seconds, we should win this.
one thing i dont get arenas did so good scoring 30+ and helps the wizards win, why does jamison gets 20+ shot attempts tonight??? this sucks
