The Chicago Bulls are inching closer to locking up the Eastern Conference's top seed and will entertain the lowly Washington Wizards tonight from the United Center.
The Bulls are currently No. 1 in the East -- 3 1/2 games ahead of Miami -- and have won three straight and four of five games. In a 100-94 overtime victory at Detroit last night, Derrick Rose scored a team-high 24 points and handed out nine assists.
Joakim Noah netted 20 points and grabbed 17 rebounds -- 13 of which came on offense --, while Carlos Boozer had 15 points and nine boards for Central Division-champion Chicago, which will try for its fourth straight win at home Monday.
"Joakim was unbelievable with his activity, the offensive rebounding, Derrick [had a] huge shot," said Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. "I thought the defense was pretty good, the rebounding was outstanding."
Chicago is 24-6 as the host this season.
Washington will try to get back in gear tonight in the Windy City and has lost two straight and seven of nine games.
In a 98-89 setback versus Cleveland on Saturday, John Wall had 19 points and nine assists to lead the way. Jordan Crawford scored 18 points in defeat.
"We didn't have that sense of urgency," Wizards head coach Randy Wittman said.
The Wizards are only 6-24 away from D.C. this season.
Washington is 0-2 against Chicago this season and will try to avoid being swept in this series for a second straight year. The Bulls won all four meetings in 2010-11 and are riding a seven-game winning streak against the Wizards, losers in six straight and 12 of 14 trips to Chicago.
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