The Chicago Bulls were riding high off an unlikely two-game winning streak as part of a three-game West Coast road trip. Then, they were blown out by the Miami Heat (again) by 36 points at home on Nov. 21. It was an all-too-familiar sight for fans in the Windy City.
The Washington Wizards, meanwhile, have one win in their first 15 games and sit dead last in the Eastern Conference standings.
Two common places to be for two mediocre -- or worse -- franchises.
So what does a Nov. 22 meeting in Chicago bring for the Bulls and Wizards?
Bulls could be without Matas Buzelis for the first time this season
Other than a 5-0 start that fleetingly put Chicago atop the East and on the national NBA radar, one of the lone bright spots this season has been the play of second-year forward Matas Buzelis. The organization had hopes going into this year that their prized 21-year-old would develop into a franchise cornerstone; so far, that looks like the case.
Buzelis is averaging 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.0 stocks (steals plus blocks) with shooting splits of 47/39/87. He scored 21 points in a season-opening win over the Detroit Pistons and crossed the 20-point threshold four more times while starting all 15 games for the Bulls.
However, he injured his ankle in the loss to the Heat and is questionable to suit up against Washington.
Wizards missing some scoring punch against Chicago
Washington is already in the bottom third of the league in points per game this season; their total of 112.5 ranks 24th. It'll be missing some more firepower against the Bulls.
Rookie Tre Johnson, the sixth pick in last year's draft, is Washington's fourth-leading scorer at 11.5 points per game. He's tied for second among all rookies in 3-pointers made per game (2.0).
But the Wizards can expect to be without Johnson against the Bulls. Professional scorer and former Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton will have to lead from the bench.
Full injury report for Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls
Washington will also be without guard A.J. Johnson, but Chicago gets a bit of good news as Tre Jones, who returned to play against the Heat after missing three contests in a row, is probable.
The complete injury report is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (wrist)
Doubtful: Dalen Terry (calf)
Questionable: Matas Buzelis (ankle); Patrick Williams (wrist); Isaac Okoro (back); Kevin Huerter (illness)
Probable: Tre Jones (ankle)
Washington Wizards
Out: Marvin Bagley II (hip); AJ Johnson (ankle); Khris Middleton (knee)
Questionable: Tre Johnson (hip)