In a matchup between two of the best backcourts in the NBA, the Washington Wizards faced off against the Chicago Bulls. You would think on a night where the backcourt duo of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler only combined to score 36 points was only 3 more scored than the 33 combined of John Wall and Bradley Beal. It was the other players for the Bulls that stepped up and helped Chicago defeat the Wizards 99-91.
Derrick Rose scored 25 points with 4 assists and Pau Gasol had 18 with 9 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls won their fourth straight. Jimmy Butler had 11 points on the night and grabbed 6 rebounds. Joakim Noah had 8 points with 11 rebounds. Aaron Brooks came off the bench to score 13 points with 6 assists and Taj Gibson scored 12 points with 7 rebounds on the night to join Brooks off the bench.
Wall led the Wizards with 18 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds while his backcourt partner, Bradley Beal, scored 15 on the night. Marcin Gortat had 14 points with 11 rebounds and Paul Pierce scored 12 points with 5 rebounds.
The Bulls outrebounded Washington 52-41.
In their last game, Chicago scored a franchise-record 49 points in the fourth quarter as they beat Toronto 129-120. Points were harder to come by a night later against the Wizards.
It was the first meeting between the teams this season. Washington defeated Chicago in the first round of last year’s playoffs, 4-1.
Chicago Bulls are 19-9. Washington Wizards are 19-8.
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