NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference First Round
Game 5 - Washington leads series 3-1
Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -4.5, Total: 183.5

The Bulls face elimination when they host the Wizards in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.

Despite their starting power forward Nene Hilario being suspended, Washington still won Game 4 in convincing fashion, winning 98-89 and easily covering the 2.5-point spread. That gave the Wizards a 3-1 series lead and marked their seventh win (SU and ATS) in the past eight games. The team has also won five in a row on the road (SU and ATS), including both games of this series in Chicago, to improve to an impressive 24-19 SU (28-15 ATS) away from home this season. Sunday's loss sent the Bulls to a 2-5 (SU and ATS) record in their past seven contests, but now they return home where they are 27-16 SU (21-22 ATS) this season. But Washington has had the upper hand in this series over the past three seasons, going 8-6 SU (9-5 ATS), including 4-3 SU (6-1 ATS) at United Center. The Wizards are also 9-1 ATS in road games when playing six or less games in 14 days, and 11-3 ATS on the road after playing a game as a home favorite this season. However, Chicago also has positive betting trends, going 12-3 ATS after five straight games of forcing an opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons, and 26-16 ATS when revenging a loss versus an opponent this season. The Bulls should have SF Mike Dunleavy (thumb) available for Game 5, with no other injury concerns for either team.

The Wizards look to close out the series when they head to Chicago on Tuesday night. PF Nene Hilario (17.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG this series) returning from his suspension should give the Wizards' frontcourt a big boost of energy as he has really made life difficult on both ends of the floor for the Chicago big men. PG John Wall (17.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, 2.8 SPG this series) struggled with his shot on Sunday (4-of-15 FG), but did finish with 15 points and 10 assists in 39 minutes of play. He was making the right passes when he needed to and was able to impact the game despite his offense not being there. However, the real story of Game 4 was SF Trevor Ariza (18.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG this series). Ariza played 38 minutes and was lighting it up, finishing with 30 points (10-of-17 FG, 6-of-10 threes), eight rebounds and two steals. Ariza plays excellent defense for his position, so when he is able to make his open looks, the Wizards are an extremely tough team to beat. SG Bradley Beal (20.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.3 APG this series) continued his breakout playoff performance on Sunday with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Beal is truly proving to be a legitimate force from the perimeter, even against a tough Chicago defense.

The Bulls were able to steal one game back on the road, but they came up short on Sunday. After dropping 35 points (12-of-19 FG, 8-of-10 threes) in Game 3, SF Mike Dunleavy (15.3 PPG on 51% FG this series) scored just six points (3-of-8 FG, 0-of-2 threes) in Game 4. Chicago will need his outside shooting to open up the court for the rest of its players to attack. C Joakim Noah (11.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 BPG this series) had 10 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two blocks on Sunday, but it was not enough to will his team to a much-needed victory. Noah will need to help out on Nene when he gets close to the rim, as the Wizards big man has really had his way inside this entire series. PG D.J. Augustin (15.5 PPG, 5.3 APG this series) has struggled to find his shot this postseason (32% FG, 32% threes). He has been able to create opportunities for himself, but he is just not capitalizing on them, and the Bulls will need Augustin (40% threes in regular season) to knock down more long-range shots. He has the speed to disrupt the Wizards guards on both ends of the floor, but will need to put together a complete game in order to have his team playing in Game 6. SG Jimmy Butler (13.0 PPG, 5.5 APG this series) is averaging 15.5 PPG over the past two games, and Chicago will need him to continue to contribute offensively. If Butler (38% FG, 25% threes this series) can get it going from the outside, Chicago has a great opportunity to come back in this series.