Bulls 98 - 88 Wizards
Final
  for this game

Bulls continue grueling road trip in D.C.

Jan 30, 2012 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - After a heartbreaking loss to one of the best teams in the league on Sunday, the Chicago Bulls will try to regroup tonight against one of the worst, as they visit the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center.

The Bulls started their nine-game road trip in disappointing fashion on Sunday in Miami, dropping a 97-93 decision to the Heat. Derrick Rose had 34 points to lead the Bulls, but missed two free throws and a jumper late which would have tied the game with 3.7 seconds remaining.

"Derrick [Rose] was Derrick, always attacking," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said.

The Bulls lost for the second time in three games. Sunday's matchup was the first time they played the Heat since losing last season's conference finals in five games.

"This is so surreal right now knowing that I had a chance to win the game," said Rose, who also had 34 points in Friday's 107-100 win over Milwaukee. "And this time it didn't work out.

A loss tonight would give the Bulls their first back-to-back losses in almost a year (Feb.5 and Feb. 7, 2011). However, they've beaten the Wizards the last six times they have played them. Not to mention that Washington enters the contest with a miserable 4-16 record.

The Wizards, though, won for the second time in three tries on Saturday, as JaVale McGee had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks on Saturday, helping Washington down the Charlotte Bobcats, 102-99, for their first road win of the season.

Nick Young scored 21 and John Wall had 13 and 10 assists for the Wizards, who had dropped their previous eight away from home. Trevor Booker added 16 points off the bench and Jordan Crawford chipped in 12 points and seven assists as a reserve.

"I think this was a good learning experience," said Washington head coach Randy Wittman. "Our guys grew tonight. We've been down this path many times, but tonight we nailed it."

The Wiz have lost seven of their last 11 as the host in their series with the Bulls.






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