2014 NBA playoffs preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards
No. 4 Chicago Bulls (48-34) vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards (44-38)
- Game 1 in Chicago: Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 2 in Chicago: Tuesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 3 in Washington: Friday, April 25, 8 p.m., ESPN
- Game 4 in Washington: Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 5 in Chicago (if necessary): Tuesday, April 29
- Game 6 in Washington (if necessary): Thursday, May 1
- Game 7 in Chicago (if necessary): Saturday, May 3
Season series: Wizards led 2-1.
Points per game (per 100 possessions): Bulls 93.7, Wizards 100.7 (Bulls 102.5, Wizards 106.0).
Points allowed per game (per 100 possessions): Bulls 91.8, Wizards 99.4 (Bulls 100.5, Wizards 104.6).
Matchups worth watching: Bulls C Joakim Noah vs. Wizards C Marcin Gortat, Bulls SG Jimmy Butler vs. Wizards SG Bradley Beal.
Scoring leaders: Bulls PG D.J. Augustin (14.9 points a game), Wizards PG John Wall (19.3).
Why Chicago will win: Their defense is relentless. Wall will struggle to find any breathing room, particularly on drives. Noah and Taj Gibson are going to make the paint a no-go area, and Washington's three-point shooting can be streaky. Coach Tom Thibodeau has more playoff experience and in-game acumen than the Wizards' Randy Wittman.
Why Washington will win: They can score, which simply isn't true for the Bulls. The Wizards have a decided talent advantage on the Bulls, with Wall and Beal being the most gifted scorers in the series. Also, Gortat and Nene give them size to keep Noah and Gibson occupied.
Did you know? The Wizards haven't won a playoff series since beating the Bulls in the first round in 2005.
Prediction: Bulls in 4.
