Wizards shed underdog label in taking Game 1 at Bulls

CHICAGO — Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman was asked before Sunday night's game against the Chicago Bulls if he thought his team was the underdog.

"No," he scoffed. "As we've proven all year, we can beat anybody."

In their first playoff appearance since 2008, the Wizards stole Game 1, out-playing the tested Bulls down the stretch to escape with a 102-93 victory. After trailing throughout most of the first three quarters, the Wizards took the lead with 4:16 remaining off a pair of Trevor Ariza free throws and didn't look back.

"When you look at their entire team, they do have plenty of experience," Thibodeau said before the game.

Chicago's interior players didn't have an answer for Nene, who finished with 24 points and eight rebounds. Marcin Gortat added 15 points and 13 rebounds for Washington. John Wall, playing in his first playoff game, had 16 points and six assists.

MVP candidate Joakim Noah had his normal energy, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds but didn't provide the defensive boost Chicago needed in the paint. Noah has been grieving the loss of mentor, Tyrone Green, his "second father."

The Bulls, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, had seven players reach double figures, but couldn't find a player to take over in the game's final minutes.

The fifth-seeded Wizards didn't look too intimidated early on, and road the production of Nene (14 first-half points) to trail 54-48 at halftime. The outside shots began to fall in the second half for Washington, which trailed 75-72 after three quarters.