[Thanks to torch for today's game preview -ed.]

Game time: 7:30 PM Central
Coverage: Comcast SportsNet, NBATV, ESPN Radio 1000

Ah, the Washington Wizards - one of my favorite rivals to hate. Some of that comes from living in the DC area and some of it from Gilbert Arenas escorting us out of the playoffs in recent years.

But tonight, I hope Washington is just what the doctor ordered. The Wizards are off to their worst start (3-14) since they played up in Baltimore back in the sixties. Most of this can be excused by the absence of Brendan Haywood and the oft-injured Gilbert Arenas. But Washington is on a bit of an uptick, going 2-4 since interim head coach Ed Tapscott took over just before Thanksgiving.

As for tonight's game, we should be able to score a ton on these guys. We're playing at the league's 4th highest pace against a team with the league's 3rd worst defensive efficiency. The Wizards have let their last two opponents shoot 50% and 48% from the field, so hopefully we can recover from our recent poor shooting nights this week.  The United Center should also give us a boost, as we're playing much better as a home team (5-3) than they are as a road team (1-6)

Blogging with the Enemy:

Bullets Forever
Agent Zero (is this considered sideline reporting?)

Random subplots:

- Which former front office crony turned new head coach is better suited for stalking the sidelines?
- Many think we should try to pawn Hughes off to the Wizards, where he enjoyed his most productive years.  However, what do they have that we'd want back? An undersized center with heart issues? A center who doesn't start when his team is healthy? The second coming of Darius? Those are the major pieces in any deal with Washington that doesn't give us back 2010 salary...
- Will the Wizards have Stevenson guard Gordon (who scores the most) or Rose (who creates the most)?

Our Bulls have a chance to go on a run (that should have started in Milwaukee) hosting Washington, New York, New Jersey while visiting Memphis and Charlotte over the next ten days. Tonight is the starting point on our trip back above .500