The Chicago Bulls got a huge 109-104 win at the United Center over the Washington Wizards. It helps the Bulls in their race for playoff position as they move to 30-26 on the season and the Wizards fall four games back at 26-30.
A big surprise for fans coming into the game, as star Derrick Rose chose to sit out the game as he cited a right hamstring tendonitis issue for the absence. Rose had been dealing with the hamstring earlier in the season. Big man Pau Gasol was also considering sitting out due to illness but decided to play. The Spaniard was just shy of a triple-double as he registered 10 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Mike Dunleavy brought in his best performance since returning from injury, scoring 14 points off of six of nine shooting from the field. Forward Taj Gibson was a huge factor as he played with maximum effort. The veteran scored 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Seven players scored in double digits which is a great sign for the depleted team moving forward. Without key players Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic, and Joakim Noah the Bulls are responding well post all-star break.
Coach Fred Hoiberg has been impressive as of late. He has been holding players more accountable and maintaining the tempo of games before things get out of hand. Players have felt that the practices have been more useful and that Hoiberg has been intense.
The Wizards could not take advantage of their favorable matchup at the point guard position. Star John Wall only got 16 points against guard E'Twaun Moore. Coming off the bench Bradley Beal helped the Wizards avoid embarrassment, by scoring 19 points off of seven of 19 shooting from the field. Guard Garrett Temple scored 18 points off of six of 12 shooting.
Bulls Play With Effort
As the game started in the united center, the Bulls came out hungry to stay in front. Without Rose, E’Twuan Moore was assigned to guard John Wall. The Bulls got a good start with active defense. As the quarter went on, the team become a bit complacent which led to a Wizards 7-0 run. A great effort play as Gibson got a steal, leading to a Tony Snell pass to Gasol that drew a foul. Gasol made both free throws to get to 16-16. Gibson remained active and a Snell 3 got the Bulls to 19-16. New player Justin Holliday made his first points as a Bulls player. A faster tempo favored the Wizards. Wall got a good assist with seconds remaining in the first topped off by a Ramon Sessions three, 31-28 Wizards.
The second quarter was a tight affair. Rookie Bobby Portis had active hands that helped get him to the free throw line. Moore also got things going to tie the game at 37 a piece. As the second quarter went on the Bulls had to rely on their reserve squad who came up with some good play. The offense began struggling though, as they were showing signs of fatigue, getting outworked. Coach Hoiberg then decided to get Gibson and Gasol back in the game. Gibson became the big factor as he kept getting 3 point plays in the paint. The Wizards still made it tough as they presented resistance on defense. Wall kept making the most of his favorable matchup over Moore by opening up lanes for his teammates. Gortat came up big by drawing an offensive foul on Gasol and then getting a rebound/bucket over Dunleavy. As the half ended the Bulls played smart getting the ball to Brooks, as he got a great layup off the pick and roll play to end the half with the Bulls up 57-55.
Outstanding Second Half From The Bulls
The Bulls continued to build off of their good first half coming into the second half. Dunleavy, Snell, and Moore all got immediately involved on the offensive end. Marcin Gortat helped the Wizards stay in it as well as good contributions from Wall and Jared Dudley. The most impressive part of the game for the Bulls came on a 10-0 run helping them get up 76-62 with half of the third remaining.
A Temple three off of a Beal assist helped the Wizards end the drought to get to 65-72. One of the plays of the game came late in the third as Bulls sophomore player Doug McDermott got an electrifying dunk off of an Aaron Brooks assist.
The third quarter ended with a great effort play from Portis as he got a putback to go in to put the Bulls up 89-79.
The Wizards tried to find a way back into the game in the fourth. The Bulls lead started to become closer as Sessions got involved early for the away team. Things got close with 8:37 remaining, with the Bulls only up by three 91-88. It did not stay that way for very long though, the sense of urgency for the Bulls was evident. They got things back into order as Moore, Dunleavy, and McDermott all played great in the closing moments. The lead grew to seven, 97-90. As the game ended, the Bulls took complete control riding it to the finish line with a great 109-104 victory.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Philadelphia on Friday night.
Bulls: At Atlanta on Friday night.