PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* TOTAL DOMINATION >> SIZZLING 35-18 Run! 15-8 L23 NBA!
(NBA) Washington vs. Chicago,
Total: 214.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 214.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: Right after it was announced that PG John Wall (19.4 & 9.3 APG) would be out until around mid-March after knee surgery, the Washington Wizards won five consecutive games. However, the Wizards come into Saturday's contest in Chicago having dropped back-to-back games against the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston. Washington hasn't dropped three straight games all season and the 31-24 Wizards look to avoid doing just that tonight against the 19-35 Chicago Bulls. The Bulls just halted a seven-game losing streak last night, when they prevailed 114-113 over the Minnesota Timberwolves in former star Jimmy Butler's return to Chicago. Bulls guard Zach LaVine, acquired in the deal for Butler, scored a season-high 35 points and drained three free throws with 18.4 seconds left to give Chicago the victory.
Washington: Shooting guard Bradley Beal (23.7-4.5-4.1) is stepping up as a passer in Wall's absence and matched his career best of nine assists in Thursday's 110-104 overtime loss to Boston. Obviously, with Wall sidelined, the pressure is higher on Beal to produce and offensively he was a poor 7-of-27 from the floor (18 points) against Boston. Washington sure hopes forward Markieff Morris (10.8 & 5.6) can play with his sprained hand. He missed Friday's practice and his availability should be firmed up at the mid-day shootaround.
Chicago: LaVine missed the first 42 games of the season due to an ACL injury that cut short his final season in Minnesota after 47 games. He has topped 20 points in four straight games and is averaging 26.5 points during the stretch. Chicago has pledged to tread carefully with a player who the franchise is billing as a future star so coach Fred Hoiberg said after Friday's win that LaVine (17.2 PPG in 12 games) will be held out against the Wizards. That will leave the backcourt thin with PG Kris Dunn (13.7-4.6-6.4) set to miss his 10th straight game due to a concussion Rookie power forward Lauri Markkanen returned after a three-game absence due to the birth of his child to score 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Minnesota. Markkanen (15.3 & 7.7) has been among the best 'freshman' this NBA season.
The pick: With Washington missing Wall and Chicago LaVine (as well as Dunn), one may say under. However, note that the Wizards are 5-2 in favor of the over since Wall was sidelined, averaging 112.1 PPG and not being held under 100 points in any game. Meanwhile, the Bulls haven't held any of their last eight opponents under 100 points, while allowing an average of 114.9 PPG in that span. Make the Over an 8* play.
Washington: Shooting guard Bradley Beal (23.7-4.5-4.1) is stepping up as a passer in Wall's absence and matched his career best of nine assists in Thursday's 110-104 overtime loss to Boston. Obviously, with Wall sidelined, the pressure is higher on Beal to produce and offensively he was a poor 7-of-27 from the floor (18 points) against Boston. Washington sure hopes forward Markieff Morris (10.8 & 5.6) can play with his sprained hand. He missed Friday's practice and his availability should be firmed up at the mid-day shootaround.
Chicago: LaVine missed the first 42 games of the season due to an ACL injury that cut short his final season in Minnesota after 47 games. He has topped 20 points in four straight games and is averaging 26.5 points during the stretch. Chicago has pledged to tread carefully with a player who the franchise is billing as a future star so coach Fred Hoiberg said after Friday's win that LaVine (17.2 PPG in 12 games) will be held out against the Wizards. That will leave the backcourt thin with PG Kris Dunn (13.7-4.6-6.4) set to miss his 10th straight game due to a concussion Rookie power forward Lauri Markkanen returned after a three-game absence due to the birth of his child to score 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Minnesota. Markkanen (15.3 & 7.7) has been among the best 'freshman' this NBA season.
The pick: With Washington missing Wall and Chicago LaVine (as well as Dunn), one may say under. However, note that the Wizards are 5-2 in favor of the over since Wall was sidelined, averaging 112.1 PPG and not being held under 100 points in any game. Meanwhile, the Bulls haven't held any of their last eight opponents under 100 points, while allowing an average of 114.9 PPG in that span. Make the Over an 8* play.
