In a battle of contrasting styles the 4th seeded Chicago Bulls face off aginst the 5th seeded Washington Wizards. At the end of the season both these teams didn’t know who they would meet in the playoffs. After the Wizards victory and a Bulls defeat, along with a loss from the Brooklyn Nets against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago and Washington were on a collusion course for the opening round. Many people believe this is the most intriguing matchup in the East and I would have to agree.
The Wizards won two of their three regular-season meetings. The interesting thing about the Wizards wins against the Bulls during the regular season was that when Nene was in the lineup they won both games. When Nene was sidelined with an injury in their last and final meeting of the regular season on April 5th; the Bulls beat down the Wizards by 18 points.
The Bulls’ stifling defense has been their key to success all season long. They are 1st in points allowed only giving up an impressive 91.8 points per game. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is one of the best coaches in the league and he demands defensive excellence.
All-Star center, Joakim Noah has averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.51 blocks, and an impressive 5.4 assist per game during the regular season. Noah has been the defensive anchor and leader for this team. With that being said the Bulls still have one major weakness and that is scoring the basketball.
Without Derrick Rose the Bulls struggle to score and generate points. This could be problem against the Wizards who are a team that can score the basketball at will because of players like John Wall, Nene, and Bradley Beal.
Wall averaged 19.4 points and 8.8 assists per game while making his first All-Star appearance. This season Wall has established himself as one of the premier point guards in the league. Wall’s backcourt mate has also been impressive this season as well.
Beal averaged in 17.0 points per game in just his second season and is a dynamic scorer who is becoming one of the best shooting guards in the league.
These players could be a concern for the Bulls but I believe they have the players to slow down Wall, Beal, and Nene. The Bulls’ perimeter defenders Kirk Hinrich and Jimmy Butler should be able to cause Wall and Beal problems because they are both lock down defenders that give opposing offensive players nightmares.
Nene is the Wizards third option offensively but I believe the Bulls length, size, and constant double teams will give Nene problems to score the basketball.
If the Bulls can contain those three players they could have a chance to stopping the Wizards limited offensive attack. The Wizards do not have the depth and experience to contend with the Bulls. Even though, the Wizards have players with playoff experience such as Trevor Ariza and Andre Miller, I don’t think that is going to be enough for this young team to get over the hump.
The Bulls have the deeper bench and two players who I believe will impact the series in a good way for the Bulls. Those two bench players have been a one-two scoring punch off the bench, D.J. Augustin and Taj Gibson.
Augustin averaged 14.9 points per game during the season, which led the Bulls in scoring. I believe he should win the “Sixth Man of the Year Award” because he gives the Bulls the scorer they desperately need.
Gibson has improved remarkably as an offensive player this season. He averaged 13 points per game and his play will be one of the reasons why this team will advance in the playoffs.
The bottom line here is that the Bulls know what it takes to advance. The Bulls’ stifling defense, grit and toughness will propel them to the next round.
Prediction: Bulls in Six
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