Opinion
3 min read

Wizards Seek Redemption at United Center Against Chicago Bulls

As the Washington Wizards prepare to face off against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, fans are looking for signs of hope after a challenging season. With a record of 9 wins and 52 losses, it's been an uphill battle for the Wizards, but every game presents a new opportunity to turn things around.


CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 26: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles against Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at United Center on February 26, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

In their last outing on March 5 against the Utah Jazz, despite scoring an impressive 115 points and leading for over half an hour, they couldn't secure victory. The Wizards showcased their ability to score in transition with fast break points making up nearly 30 percent of their total score. However, defensive lapses allowed the Jazz to outscore them by 12 points overall.


The matchup with Chicago presents another chance for Washington to tighten up defensively while continuing to exploit their fast break opportunities. The key will be maintaining intensity throughout all four quarters; in recent games, there has been a tendency for performance levels to drop as games progress.


CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 26: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket against Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at United Center on February 26, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

One positive note is that Washington's bench has been contributing significantly. In two of their last three games, bench players have scored over 40 points. This depth could prove crucial against a Bulls team that prides itself on its own depth and versatility.


However, it won't be easy against Chicago who will have home-court advantage and are known for their resilience and competitive spirit. The Bulls' ability to control the paint was evident in Washington's previous matchups where opponents consistently outscored them inside.


CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 26: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Chicago Bulls on February 26, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

For fans hoping for a win on March 16 at United Center at 8:00 PM EDT, they should look out for improved defensive efforts from WAS and continued aggression in transition play. If they can limit turnovers – which have plagued them recently – and capitalize on second-chance opportunities better than they did against Utah (where only five second-chance points were scored), there might just be cause for optimism.


The upcoming game is set to broadcast locally on NBCS-CHI as well as MNMT network; this is where fans can tune in with high hopes that this time around WAS can pull off an upset or at least show signs of building towards something greater next season.

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