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Bulls try to even series with Wizards on Tuesday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 4/22/2014  at  4:48:00 AM
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WASHINGTON WIZARDS (45-38)

at CHICAGO BULLS (48-35)

NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference First Round
Game 2 - Washington leads series 1-0
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:35 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -5.0, Total: 181.5

After an impressive upset road win on Sunday, the Wizards are now in position to go up 2-0 in their first-round series with the Bulls on Tuesday night.

Washington ended the regular season with four straight victories (SU and ATS) and that momentum carried into the playoffs where it won 102-93 in Game 1 in Chicago. The Wizards were 4.5-point underdogs and have now won nine of their past 12 games (8-4 ATS). The Bulls, on the other hand, are just 1-3 SU in their past four contests and 1-4 ATS in the past five games. While Washington improved to 23-19 SU (27-15 ATS) on the road this season, Chicago fell to 27-15 SU (21-21 ATS). With Sunday's win, the Wizards improved to 7-4 ATS in this series over the past three seasons, including 5-1 ATS at United Center. Washington also benefits from the Bulls going 19-38 ATS (33%) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points in the past two seasons, but Chicago is not an easy team to beat twice, going 25-15 ATS (63%) when revenging a loss versus an opponent this season and 27-13 ATS (68%) coming off of a home loss over the past three seasons. They club has to come out in this game playing like there is no tomorrow, because a 2-0 deficit while heading on the road would likely mean the end of its season.

Washington went into Chicago in Game 1 and came away with an important victory. The game was close until a little past midway through the fourth quarter where the Wizards would bust the game right open and outscore the Bulls 30-18 in the final quarter and outshoot their opponent 49% FG to 42% FG for the game. Washington also rebounded better (+6 margin) and passed more efficiently as well with 21 assists (13 for Chicago). PF Nene Hilario (14.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG) showed fans around the world just how good he could be when he's healthy. In 35 minutes of play, he had 24 points (11-of-17 FG), eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. The big man had it going, finishing around the rim often, but also knocking down his mid-range jumpers. All other Wizards starters also scored 13+ points in the victory. SF Trevor Ariza (14.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG) played a solid two-way game, finishing with 18 points (5-of-8 FG, 3-of-5 threes), seven rebounds and a +10 rating. C Marcin Gortat (13.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG) was also +10 and had 15 points and 13 rebounds (5 offensive) in 37 minutes. He was strong on both ends of the floor and will need to continue to make Joakim Noah work. The Wizards starting backcourt was surprisingly ineffective, with PG John Wall (19.3 PPG, 8.8 APG, 1.8 SPG) and SG Bradley Beal (17.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.3 APG) combining for just 29 points (7-of-25 FG, 0-of-3 threes). But despite the poor shooting, the duo combined for 13 assists and just three turnovers while making 15-of-17 free throws. These guards know that they must make more shots, as they won’t be able to rely on their big men playing as well as they did every night. Backup PG Andre Miller (4.9 PPG, 3.4 APG) had 10 points (5-of-7 FG) in 14 minutes off the bench, showing just how valuable his veteran leadership is to this team.

Chicago will absolutely need to win Game 2 in order to be in this series moving forward, and the first order of business is making more shots as the club finished with 42% FG and 25% threes (5-for-20). Although seven players scored in double-figures, none had a positive rating for the game. C Joakim Noah (12.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 BPG) had a relatively quiet game, finishing with just 10 points (4-of-6 FG), 10 rebounds, four assists and a minus-12 rating. The Wizards were able to keep him from being the aggressor he has been the past few months. Chicago will need Noah to be more active in the coming games to lead this club. PG Kirk Hinrich (9.1 PPG, 3.9 APG) had a nice offensive game for the Bulls with 16 points on 7-of-16 FG (2-of-5 threes), but recorded just two assists, five fouls and a minus-12 rating in 29 minutes. Hinrich plays excellent defense, which is part of the reason why the Wizards backcourt was struggling. SG Jimmy Butler had 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals in 44 minutes, but he really struggled from the free throw line (3-of-7 FT) and posted a game-worst, minus-15 rating. Butler will have to capitalize on his opportunities from the line in the rest of this series. PFs Carlos Boozer (13.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and Taj Gibson (13.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG) combined for 23 points and 15 rebounds. Both of these players struggled somewhat defensively, and Chicago will have no chance in this series if this duo can’t defend the post. PG D.J. Augustin (13.1 PPG, 4.4 APG) had 16 points off the bench, but was extremely inefficient (3-of-15 FG, 0-for-4 threes, three assists, three turnovers) and will need to find his stroke in Game 2.


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