Bulls travel to Washington

The Bulls are tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Chicago is 2-1 against the Wizards this season, and has won five of the last seven contests in the series. The Bulls have lost two straight and 10 of their last 11 at Washington.

The Bulls enter today’s contest on a two-game winning streak. Ben Gordon scored 20 points and Kirk Hinrich had 18 points and eight assists as Chicago defeated the short-handed Charlotte Bobcats, 100-81, at the United Center.

Luol Deng scored 14 points, while Ben Wallace had 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks for the Bulls, who have won five of their last six games overall.

Chicago is 17-22 on the road this season. The Bulls will wrap up their regular-season schedule on Wednesday against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena.

Washington, which is No. 6 in the East standings, opens a two-game homestand. On Friday, DeShawn Stevenson scored 25 points and Jarvis Hayes netted 20 as the Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks, 98-85, at Philips Arena to halt a season- high six-game losing streak.

Antonio Daniels scored 16 points and dished out 12 assists in the win over Atlanta for the Wizards.

The Wizards are 26-13 at home this season. They will host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday before ending the regular season on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.