Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET the Chicago Bulls (26-13) will look to gain the upper hand on the division rival Washington Wizards (26-12) when they meet for the third time this season at the United Center on ESPN. Live stream the Eastern Conference clash free by clicking this link. Bulls fans can hear the game on ESPN 1000, while Wizards fans may do likewise on WFED-AM 1500.
Chicago has dropped three of their last four games, including a 102-86 thrashing at the hands of these very Wizards in Washington D.C. Don't expect the recent history to affect Bulls center Joakim Noah though.
"This is our story," Noah said. "This is the journey. In the season, there's always going to be ups and downs. When there's adversity, people (are going to show) their true colors. That's the way it is. And we're going through something right now. We got to stick together and make it work."
While former MVP Derrick Rose has remained relatively healthy this season he has struggled to find his shooting stroke. Over his last nine games Rose has shot 31 percent from the field and a startling 17 percent from beyond the arc. The Bulls are 5-4 over that stretch, but most of those wins came at the beginning and Rose's shooting woes are beginning to take their toll.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau isn't laying Chicago's offensive struggles solely at the feet of Rose though. Thibodeau acknowledged that the ball isn't moving well offensively, and that Noah and free agent acquisition Pau Gasol haven't completely meshed yet.
"You also have to ask what's happening with the ball?" Thibodeau said. "It's not just them. It's are we doing the proper things to direct the ball where it should go? Are the smalls coming at the bigs with speed? If we do go to help are we getting the proper support behind the ball?"
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