Chicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards odds, game-day preview

WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 18: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 18, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 18: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 18, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bulls will start the second half of the season tonight against the Washington Wizards. Here are the latest odds and things to watch for.

Plenty of woeful teams in the Eastern Conference had playoff hopes prior to the start of the 2019-20 season. At the halfway point, the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards both find themselves on the outside looking in. Both teams still have a puncher’s chance of sneaking in, though. That’s why matchups between the two of them are so important.

Let’s dive in.

Zach LaVine vs Bradley Beal

Both the Bulls and Wizards can only go as far as their two-guards can take them.

Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal are the two best shooting guards that aren’t currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They’re two of the most dynamic offensive guards the league has. Their head-to-head battle will be insanely fun to watch tonight.

Beal is having a career season, averaging nearly 28 points and seven assists per game. He’s doing everything for this Wizards team. He deserves some credit for putting the team on his back and carrying them to a respectable record instead of doing the typical trade-request thing that stars on bad teams often do.

LaVine has a similar role on the Bulls but still finds himself in a very different situation. LaVine shoulders almost as big of a load as Beal, but Beal is already an established star — LaVine is trying to get there. Nobody feels bad for Zach LaVine right now. Despite being one of the only bright spots on this sad Bulls team, he’s still part of the young, developing core in Chicago. He doesn’t have the same clout that Beal has.

Don’t be surprised if the result of this game is contingent on which explosive guard has the better game.

Bulls odds against Wizards

The following odds are courtesy of The Action Network and are current as of 3:30 pm CT.

This line seems like it’s spot on. The Bulls and Wizards are similar teams, so making Chicago a 4-point favorite at home makes sense. It’s still tough to bet on the Bulls, though.

Chicago has a -6.7 net rating over their last five games. What’s with the dip?

In the first of those five games, Wendell Carter Jr. exited with a seemingly-serious ankle injury. He hasn’t played since then and isn’t expected to play in the immediate future.

It’s not a coincidence that the Bulls’ net rating took a turn for the worse as soon as Carter got hurt. He’s their best and most consistent defender, he has a high basketball IQ and he rebounds the ball ferociously. Without Carter, the Bulls have looked lost.

This game will likely come down to Zach LaVine’s ability to carry the Bulls. He frequently has to bail out their stagnant offense by taking tough shots. If he makes them, the Bulls will have a chance. If he doesn’t, they won’t. It’s as simple as that.

Next. Grading Zach LaVine at the halfway point. dark

The game is set to tip at 7 pm CT.