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Wizards take 'winning ways' to Chicago

Jan 11, 2012 - 3:48 PM (Sports Network) - The condensed NBA schedule has forced some teams to play three straight games and the Chicago Bulls are one of them. They hope to finish the congested stretch with a perfect mark when the Washington Wizards pay a visit to the United Center this evening.

The Bulls defeated both Detroit and Minnesota in the first two tests of their only back-to-back-to-back this season. In last night's 111-100 victory against the Timberwolves, reigning MVP Derrick Rose scored 31 points and handed out 11 assists to lead Chicago to a 9-2 start -- the best since a 12-0 run to kick off the 1996-97 campaign.

Luol Deng netted 21 points and ripped down 11 rebounds, while Ronnie Brewer finished with 17 points for Chicago, which got 13 points out of Kyle Korver in a reserve role and is in the midst of alternating away and home games over the next 10 contests.

"I liked that we got the win," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "But I didn't think we played tough with the lead, so I didn't like our defense. I liked the resolve to hang tough and pull it out in the end."

Thibodeau had to be pleased his team shot 53 percent for the game and buried 11-of-20 shots from three-point range. Chicago has held its opponents to less than 100 points in eight of its first 11 games, and is 7-2 when holding the opposition under the century mark. It is 3-0 at home this season.

Chicago is still toiling without guards Richard Hamilton (groin) and C.J. Watson (elbow). Hamilton has missed four straight and six of seven games, and is not expected to play tonight. Watson hasn't played in the last six contests.

Washington has lost seven straight on the road dating back to last season and is 0-4 away from home in 2011-12. It will play its next two games on the road at Chicago and Philadelphia, and finally ended the worst start in franchise history with last night's 93-78 win versus Toronto in the finale of a three- game homestand.

The Wizards had dropped their first eight games until putting together a full 48 minutes in the win over the Raptors, receiving 15 points apiece from Nick Young and Rashard Lewis.

"Oh, man. It felt real good. It was like a playoff game," Young told the team's website. "I felt like jumping in the stands."

John Wall had eight points and nine assists, JaVale McGee finished with 10 points and six rebounds, and Andray Blatche added nine points and eight boards in a winning effort. Rookie Chris Singleton and second-year player Trevor Booker had nine and eight points, respectively.

Washington lost all four meetings with the Bulls last season and is currently mired in a five-game skid in this series. Chicago is 14-5 in the last 19 matchups with the Wizards, losers of five straight and 11 of 13 games in the Windy City.