[NorthEast Wiz]

The Bulls are playing well. We go to the United Center and play the Bulls on National TV. Chandler had a huge game last time out and they are much improved from last year.

I need to think about this one before I predict it.

When: Thursday, Jan. 2 7:30 pm
Where: at Bulls
Where to watch TV: TNT

[Wizards1]

Whats there to think about Wiz will win as MJ performs for his old stomping ground

[local_sportsfan]

I'll take the Wiz 89-78.

[DaBullz]

This is a key game for the Bulls in their attempt to show great improvement over last year. The month of January features a number of games for the Bulls against teams with losing records. Including the Wizards. The Bulls can make a push towards a .500 record by beating teams like the Wizards, and this game is important to set the tone for the rest of these games. To top it off, the Bulls are particularly strong at home (as are most NBA teams).

With that setting the stage, the Wizards are a much more veteran team, and they have two superstar talents in Jordan and Stackhouse. The Bulls pretty much have Jalen Rose in that category. The Bulls always need some of their younger players to step up and have particularly good games to contribute to wins. The Bulls also are Dr. Jeckel/Mr. Hyde when it comes to defense. Some games they hold opponents to 85-ish points while others they seem to play no D at all.

The Wizards are consistently good at defense, and they have Jordan who can match up well with Rose and nullify his game. The Bulls are likely to stick their best defender on Jordan or Stackhouse: Trenton Hassell, who is not much of a threat to score.

It will also be interesting to watch Kwame vs. Chandler, a matchup of very young and promising big men. Chandler is coming off the best game of his career, but has not produced in games following ones he gets 30+ minutes.

I find this is a hard game to pick. On paper, the Bulls should win. On the court, you can't deny the Wizards' superior experience, defense, or the Jordan factor.

The game is also important to the Wizards, as they are in the fight for a playoff spot, and they need to beat teams like the Bulls to accomplish this.

I say tossup.

[jazzy1]

Originally posted by <b>DaBullz</b>!
This is a key game for the Bulls in their attempt to show great improvement over last year. The month of January features a number of games for the Bulls against teams with losing records. Including the Wizards. The Bulls can make a push towards a .500 record by beating teams like the Wizards, and this game is important to set the tone for the rest of these games. To top it off, the Bulls are particularly strong at home (as are most NBA teams).

With that setting the stage, the Wizards are a much more veteran team, and they have two superstar talents in Jordan and Stackhouse. The Bulls pretty much have Jalen Rose in that category. The Bulls always need some of their younger players to step up and have particularly good games to contribute to wins. The Bulls also are Dr. Jeckel/Mr. Hyde when it comes to defense. Some games they hold opponents to 85-ish points while others they seem to play no D at all.

The Wizards are consistently good at defense, and they have Jordan who can match up well with Rose and nullify his game. The Bulls are likely to stick their best defender on Jordan or Stackhouse: Trenton Hassell, who is not much of a threat to score.

It will also be interesting to watch Kwame vs. Chandler, a matchup of very young and promising big men. Chandler is coming off the best game of his career, but has not produced in games following ones he gets 30+ minutes.

I find this is a hard game to pick. On paper, the Bulls should win. On the court, you can't deny the Wizards' superior experience, defense, or the Jordan factor.

The game is also important to the Wizards, as they are in the fight for a playoff spot, and they need to beat teams like the Bulls to accomplish this.

I say tossup.

Dabullz I'ma keep it clean and friendly for I realize the Bulls are where your heart is but right now I'm eating a piece of cake and it might as well be red and black because thats what the Bulls will be for the Wizards a piece of cake, I like your analysis mumbo jumbo but it ain't gonna work, on Paper the Wizards are better and on the floor they're going to prove it. It may be a tough game but one the Wizards should win.

I agree the Kwame vs Chandler match-up will be most interesting but thats probably about it. Just busting your chops alittle the Wizards will still win though . Too Bad

[local_sportsfan]

It'll be a close game Jazzy...probably closer than you think. The Bulls are pretty decent at home, and the Wiz are a pretty bad away team.

Good analysis DaBullZ...I agree with mush of what you said. However on paper, the Wizards are definitely better, but I think the experience factor will be key.

Hughes > Williams
Jordan > Hassell
Stackhouse = Rose
Laetner < Marshall
Haywood = Chandler

[DaBullz]

My heart is with MJ, too.

I have something of a Jordan shrine in my home, complete with 6'7" lifesize cardboard Jordan ;-) I was born in Baltimore, lived in D.C. for years, and have family ties to the area. I grew up a Baltimore Bullets fan.

Both teams are coming off wins against teams they should have lost to. That will give them both a lot of confidence.

The Bulls not only defeated Portland, but they stopped the Blazers' 8 game win streak and 5 game road win streak. And they did it with JWill in foul trouble, Crawford DNP/sprained ankle, and Marshall out most of the game with bruised ribs.

I'm in no way trying to stir things up, myself.

But consider that in another thread (schedule), the Bulls are called both a "sorry team" in one sentence and then in another, it says "the wizards have to hold off the Bulls for a playoff spot."

The Bulls have a cushy two months of schedule coming up. I do not think it wise to take the Bulls lightly. My humble opinion.

But read this:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/ap/...dan-bulls.html

One difference is that the Bulls are actually becoming a competitive team. They were so bad last year that the game had little meaning beyond Jordan's presence.

But Chicago ended Portland's eight-game winning streak Tuesday night, beating the Trail Blazers 102-87, and the Bulls are 11-20. That's just three games behind Washington's 14-17 record.

<B>``If you go in there thinking they're bottom-dwellers, then you're going to end up getting beat,'' Jordan said. </B>

[DaBullz]

Originally posted by <b>local_sportsfan</b>!
It'll be a close game Jazzy...probably closer than you think. The Bulls are pretty decent at home, and the Wiz are a pretty bad away team.

Good analysis DaBullZ...I agree with mush of what you said. However on paper, the Wizards are definitely better, but I think the experience factor will be key.

Hughes > Williams
Jordan > Hassell
Stackhouse = Rose
Laetner < Marshall
Haywood = Chandler

You underrate Williams, IMHO. Look at his last 5 games:
6-8 FGM, 2-3 FT, 5 reb, 13 ast, 14 points
2-13 FGM, 3-4 FT, 1 reb, 4 ast, 8 points
7-12 FGM, 2-2 FT, 2 reb, 4 ast, 16 points
7-12 FGM, 4-4 FT, 1 reb, 3 ast, 23 points
3-9 FGM, 0-0 FT, 2 reb, 9 ast, 9 points
That's
25-52 FGM (.481), 6.6 ast/game, 14 PPG
He's also 11-25 from 3pt land (.440)

Same thing for Chandler. He's putting up similar numbers (but better scoring) than Haywood in fewer minutes.

You also need to consider the benches. Fizer and Crawford could be starters for the team.

The stats don't tell the whole story. The Wizards consistently play better defense, invidually and as a team. The Bulls are inconsistent, but nearly as effective when they do play a D game.

Rose is clearly the key for the Bulls. I would watch for whether he slashes/drives a lot or just settles for jumpers. He's much better going to the hole, and you can get an indication of the defensive effort from this signal as well.

[NorthEast Wiz]

This is a big game. We have Indiana next and need this win.

Chicago Trend

Chicago is playing good ball lately. They are 7-5 over thier last 12 games. Granted 10 of those games were at home but 9 of those 12 games were against teams with winning records.

Wizard Trend

We are playing inconsistent ball for a team expected to be slightly better than they are. We are 6-6 over our last 12 playing 7 teams with winnning records.

I predict a tough loss here.

[BCH]

No prediction by me, though it is clear who I want to win. I would be putting bad juju on this game if I make a call either way.

[DaBullz]

Originally posted by <b>BCH</b>!
No prediction by me, though it is clear who I want to win. I would be putting bad juju on this game if I make a call either way.

Can we assume you want the BULLets to win? ;-)

[jazzy1]

Originally posted by <b>local_sportsfan</b>!
It'll be a close game Jazzy...probably closer than you think. The Bulls are pretty decent at home, and the Wiz are a pretty bad away team.

Good analysis DaBullZ...I agree with mush of what you said. However on paper, the Wizards are definitely better, but I think the experience factor will be key.

Hughes > Williams
Jordan > Hassell
Stackhouse = Rose
Laetner < Marshall
Haywood = Chandler

Local and Dabullz, this is the only thing I'll say the Spurs game is the Wizards biggest win this season and the Wizards are getting ready to go on a run here. They get a couple quality teams at home whom they can beat namely the Pacers coming up and so this game takes on added importance. The Bulls indeed are sorry but thats beside the point the Wizards need this game and the fact that MJ referred to them as Bottom Dwellers tells me he's coming for blood and when MJ comes like that he usually gets it. He won't lose to the Bulls at HIS HOUSE he just won't. The guys will win this one for MJ. Look for Kwame to get at Chnadler whom I think will evetually be special like Kwame will , and Stackhouse will have a big game .

Wiz win Wiz win WIZ WIN. Jalen would need to have a huge game in order for the Bulls to win and against MJ in his house I don't think so. We cool peeps after this game Dabullz, just not until after this game, if we do lose I'll be here to accept the bashing no problem.

[hps]

I wouldn't be at all suprised with a bad Bulls loss. Many of the Bulls wins this season have come against teams missing key players, taking the Bulls for granted, or having played alot of recent games.

But the wildcard is how well Rose shoots. If he is hot, he can keep the Bulls in any game. Beyond that, Marshall, Fizer, and Chandler need to all have good rebounding games along with a good all-around game from Jay.

[CT]

I'm going to predict that the Wizards will win.

[TheWizards23]

Honestly i see this game as a really tough and exciting game from both teams, especially Washington who will be looking for the quick Kill.
Michael doesn't want to play in a close game but if he had to i'm sure he won't mind the challenge especially with the thought that if it came down to a game winning shot and MJ drained it on the Bulls, it might just make MJ smile
Chicago is a good team but they seem to struggle with Zone defense and the Wizards are a good Zone defensive team and i won't be surprised if the Wiz started the game in a 2-3 zone.
Larry hughes can have a huge game over the smaller rookie Jay Williams, Michael and Stackhouse will try to penetrate and dish out to Laettner/Hughes/Lue etc, and maybe get the big guys in foul trouble.
Also Donyell Marshall is LISTED AS PROBABLE for today's game b/c of the rib injury he sustained during the 3rd quarter of the Portland game.
I won't give a prediction but i feel a big game from Michael/Hughes/Stackhouse/Etan ...