The Washington Wizards have a chance to put the Chicago Bulls away in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Many believed the Bulls would come out big in the playoffs like they did last season, but the Wizrds proved they are more than their seeding says and youth and drive have gotten them the 3-1 lead with the chance to win one more and move on to the next round.
Washington won 44 games this season thanks to the All-Star play of John Wall and Bradley Beal. They reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Getting to the second round would be a first since 1979. For the most part, the Wizards have been a one and done team if they make the playoffs at all. However, now they head into Chicago for a chance to move on, but beating the Bulls on the road certainly will not be easy.
Only eight teams have overcome a 3-1 hole and won the series. The Phoenix Suns were the last team to do so and it was in 2006. The Bulls had the odds stacked against them from the start. Once again, Derrick Rose was lost for the season. The team traded Luol Deng mid-way through the year. Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler were simply not enough to overcome the Wizards roster that has remained injury free.
Washington has simply been playing on fire. Trevor Ariza has given career-high performances while averaging 18 points overall. Nene has been impossible to guard. Beal has been averaging 20.5 points per game. The team's defense has shutdown any and all chances the Bulls have had at finding consistent rhythm at any period during the series.
The Bulls are tough and if there is any team that can rally from being down 3-1, it is them. Head coach Tom Thibodeau notes that his team has really fought hard in the second half of the season and that momentum could help them get back into contention in the postseason.
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