Nene-less Wizards top Bulls, take commanding 3-1 series lead
No Nene, no problem. The Washington Wizards played 29 games without their power forward during the regular season due to injury, and that had them ready to play a single playoff game without him due to suspension.
Nene's teammates answered the call in a major way, jumping on the Bulls early and never trailing once for the entire game. The end result was a 98-89 victory, one that gives the Wizards a commanding 3-1 series lead heading back to Chicago for Game 5.
Star Performer
Trevor Ariza stepped up in Nene's absence, scoring a playoff career-high 30 points. He shot 10-of-17 from the floor and 6-of-10 on threes, adding eight rebounds and a pair of steals for good measure. It was an incredibly efficient game, one made possible by the fact that the Bulls offensive players - D.J. Augustin and Mike Dunleavy - can't defend, while their defensive players struggle to score. pick your poison, as it were.
[Courtesy: ESPN]
Turning Point
The start of each half, really, and it highlights a pretty big problem facing the Bulls right now. Not only did Washington open the game on a 14-0 run, they also reeled off an 7-0 run midway through the third that put the game back out of reach. In all, the Bulls were -15 in the 24 minutes that Carlos Boozer played, continuing a trend from the regular season where they're far better with Taj Gibson at the four (they were +5 in his 32 minutes).
Highlight Reel
Everything broke right for the Wizards early, including a buzzer-beating triple from Trevor Ariza to end the first half.
Beyond that, the highlights were more of the photo variety, like Wizards owner Ted Leonsis sporting a Nene jersey in support of his suspended power forward:
You want a classy owner #Wizards fans...we've got one #DoItForNene pic.twitter.com/PNvLgWPmHj
— Hoop District (@HoopDistrictDC) April 27, 2014
Or Steve Francis (according to eye-witnesses) taking in the game in his own jersey:
Steve Francis behind the basket...wearing his own jersey? @dcsportsbog pic.twitter.com/maQq9a3DHn
— Ryan Kelly (@RyanJKelly) April 27, 2014
Marcin Gortat was very happy to see Francis. Or perturbed with a call. Either or.
[GIF Courtesy: @_MarcusD_]
Bulls center Joakim Noah? Not happy with the outcome in this one.
Quote of the Game - It's been a minute for the Wizards
The Wizards are one win away from their first playoff series win since Bradley Beal was in diapers
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) April 27, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: WSH 102, CHI 93 (Wizards lead 1-0)
Game 2: WSH 101, CHI 99 (Wizards lead 2-0)
Game 3: CHI 100, WSH 99 (Wizards lead 2-1)
Game 4: WAS 98, CHI 89 (Wizards lead 3-1)
Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 - 8 p.m. ET
Game 6: Thursday, May 1 - TBA
Game 7: Saturday, May 3 - TBA