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Gooden, Hughes make home debut for Bulls

Feb 29, 2008 - 11:17 AM Washington (27-30) at Chicago (23-34) 8:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The new-look Chicago Bulls need to get hot in order to make the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Bulls face Washington on Friday looking to start the push toward the postseason.

Recent trade acquisitions Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden make their home debuts for the Bulls after their first three games with the team were on the road.

Hughes scored 29 points and Gooden had a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds in a 113-107 win on Wednesday at Indiana.

"Larry was excited, but for me, I didn't know what to expect," Gooden said. "I'm getting along with these guys - they're a great group of guys - and I know we have a chance to make a good run at the playoffs."

Chicago is currently 10th in the East but well within striking distance of a playoff berth. The Wizards are in sixth place.

Washington is coming off a 94-69 loss at Houston on Tuesday, scoring a franchise-low 23 points in the first half. The Wizards continue to play without guard Gilbert Arenas and All-Star forward Caron Butler.

Arenas had set a March 2 date for his return from knee injury, but said earlier this week that he is not close to being ready. Butler has a small labral tear of the left joint in his hip and the timetable for his return is unknown.

Arenas has missed all but eight games this season and Butler has been out for 14.