Wizards can make up some ground in playoff standings this week

1. Big week ahead

Tonight begins an all-Eastern Conference week for Washington, as they will face the Bulls in Chicago tonight, followed by back-to-back games, with one in DC against the Miami Heat on Friday before quickly heading up to Milwaukee to face the up-and-coming Bucks on Saturday, who are closing in on the Wizards and the fifth spot in the standings.

The Wizards and Bulls have begun quite a rivalry in recent years and tonight's matchup will be more than just another game -- it could be huge in helping derail Chicago from the third spot in the East and add to their struggles without Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, and Taj Gibson.

2. Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors: Who's struggling more?

These two teams, who started at incredibly fast paces to begin the season, have quickly come down to Earth with massive thuds. The Wizards just ended a six-game losing streak while the Raptors beat the 76ers Monday night to end their five-game losing streak.

Toronto's efficiency on both ends of the floor have dropped drastically over the past couple months, while the Wizards are in the bottom four of the NBA in terms of offensive efficiency over the past month.

The Wizards need wins as much as possible, but this debate isn't one they want to win.

3. Kris Humphries out for tonight's game vs. Chicago

Humphries injured his groin during Wednesday's game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves and there's a good chance he'll need some time to heal up completely. He's apparently moving forward without too many issues, though his lateral movement is nowhere near where it needs to be in order to play.

A groin strain is nothing to mess around with, and with Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce recently returning to the Wizards lineup Humphries' best solution would be to let this thing heal completely no matter how long it takes.

4. Wizards looking to dish more hard fouls tonight

Maybe try to be a little more discreet about them, though. The Bulls are struggling with the injury bug and the Wizards brought back two of three injured players to their roster on Saturday night. Anymore injuries or suspensions would put them in another hole.

But tonight's game will be a battle. And if the Wizards want to make it tough on the Bulls they'll have to make them earn points at the line instead of giving up baskets plus the foul.

5. Wizards face Bulls tonight

The Wizards (34-26) will look to make the Bulls' (37-23) problems bigger by handing them what would be their second straight loss. The Wizards just broke out of a six-game losing slump with the returns of Beal and Pierce, while the Bulls lost on Sunday to the Los Angeles Clippers and lost All-Star shooting guard Butler in the process, likely for the rest of the month. They're now without Rose, Butler, and Gibson for this one and with those players all likely out with lengthy injuries, it's time to buckle down, get some wins, and make a serious push for their spot in the standings.

Tip off is set for 8 p.m. in Chicago's United Center. You can watch live on Comcast SportsNet+ and listen to the Radio Party on 99.1 WNEW.