DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls will look to start the new year with a win against the Wizards. On New Year’s Eve, Chicago won against the Pacers by a DeRozan buzzer-beater. While Washington two nights ago, they got their win against the Cavaliers to get back above .500.
Keys to Bulls Getting Win
Get All Starters In Double-Digits
You can’t expect DeRozan and Lavine to score above 30 points every game. DeRozan shot 33%, missing 16 shots, and Lavine shot 41.7%, missing 10 against Indiana yesterday. In December, all Chicago starters scored in double-digits in two games. Those two games were results of wins against the Hawks, 131-117, and the Nuggets, 109-97.
Yes, the Bulls were dealing with COVID for the half of December and had games postponed, but when all starters scored in double-digits, the Bulls record is perfect at 3-0. When everybody is involved, Chicago will win games.
Contain Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is one of the Wizards’ main reasons for being in the playoff picture with an 18-17 record. Beal averages 23.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds this season. Washington’s record when Beal scores above 30 points are 2-1. Also, the 6.0 assists are the highest in his career since he is giving the ball up, especially to solid scorers of Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Daniel Gafford.
With no Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso not being 100% if he plays, that means the guards must step up against Beal. Remember, the last time Beal scored below 20 points, they lost against the Denver Nuggets. Must stop Beal to get a good chance of winning tonight.
Get LaVine back on track early
Last night, LaVine made seven shots shooting 41.2%. The last LaVine shot below 45% was on December 8th in a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers. LaVine should bounce back tonight, but he should get early shots in the game to find his rhythm back. When LaVine scores at least 30 points, Chicago has a 7-3 record.
Injury Report
Bulls
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Alex Caruso | Questionable | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Javonte | Doubtufl | Right Adductor Strain |
| Lonzo Ball | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Marko Simonovic | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Ersan Ilyasova | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Alfonzo McKinnie | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Tony Bradley | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Patrick Williams | Out | Wrist |
Wizards
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Davis Bertans | Out | Illness |
| Brad Wanamaker | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Spencer Dinwiddie | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Rui Hachimura | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Montrezl Harrell | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Aaron Holiday | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Thomas Bryant | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
| Raul Neto | Out | NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols |
Game Prediction
Chicago will start the new year 1-0 and return home Monday feeling great. The Bulls are still hot even after struggling last night; they found a way to win by a fantastic buzzer-beater by DeMar DeRozan to finish the 2021 year. These Bulls won’t struggle shooting for a second straight day. Great news that Caruso traveled with the team and might play tonight against the Wizards to add depth.
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