2012 NBA schedule: Bulls host Wizards with eye on division lead

The Chicago Bulls welcome the Washington Wizards to the United Center on Saturday in the Bulls' only game this weekend, but the top of the Central Division could get a shakeup by the time Sunday is over.

At 15-12, the Bulls are tied for second place in the Central Division with the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Indiana Pacers sit just a half-game ahead of the two. The weekend schedule is favorable for Chicago. While the Bulls play the team with the worst record in the NBA, their divisional opponents both play on consecutive nights.

The Pacers host the Phoenix Suns (11-18) on Friday, then fly to Atlanta to play one of the East's best teams in the Hawks (17-9) on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Bucks host the Miami Heat (20-6) late Saturday night, then hit the road against the Detroit Pistons (9-22) on early Sunday night.

If both teams as much as split their two games, the Bulls will be in first place in the Central Division as long as they take care of the three-win Wizards.

Here is the full slate of NBA games this weekend, courtesy of SI.com. All times are Central.

Friday, Dec. 28

Suns at Pacers, 6 p.m.
Magic at Wizards, 6 p.m.
Heat at Pistons, 6:30 p.m.
Hawks at Cavaliers 6:30 p.m.
Bobcats at Nets 6:30 p.m.
Raptors at Hornets, 7 p.m.
Rockets at Spurs, 7:30 p.m.
Nuggets at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m.
Clippers at Jazz, 8 p.m.
Knicks at Kings, 9 p.m.
76ers at Warriors, 9:30 p.m.
Trail Blazers at Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 29

Raptors at Magic, 6 p.m.
Hornets at Bobcats, 6 p.m.
Pacers at Hawks, 6 p.m.
Cavaliers at Nets, 6:30 p.m.
Wizards at Bulls, 7 p.m.
Nuggets at Grizzlies, 7 p.m.
Suns at Timberwolves, 7 p.m.
Thunder at Rockets, 7 p.m.
Heat at Bucks, 7:30 p.m.
76ers at Trail Blazers, 9 p.m.
Celtics at Warriors, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 30

Bucks at Pistons, 6:30 p.m.
Spurs at Mavericks, 6:30 p.m.
Celtics at Kings, 8 p.m.
Jazz at Clippers, 8:30 p.m.