2014 Playoffs: (4) Chicago vs. (5) Washington

[Lamrock]

Though there is only a four win difference between these two teams, the difference seems much greater. Chicago has been fantastic this calendar, whereas the Wizards have maintained a consistent level of mediocrity all year.

With that in mind, I'm taking the Bulls in five.

[Andrew]

No Gilbert Arenas in sight, and this time the Bulls' centre is Joakim Noah, rather than an absent Eddy Curry. I'll take them in five as well.

[Kevin]

Im gonna vote for Rose coming back in Game 1 then destroys his ankles again

[Moz]

The Wizards got a shitty bench but then again the Bulls are having trouble containing John Wall and Nene on their games this season so probably they will win a game or two... Bulls in 6...

EDIT

Dammit... I clicked Wizards instead of Bulls...

[Andrew]

Im gonna vote for Rose coming back in Game 1 then destroys his ankles again

That'd be a first. His injuries have been in his knees.

[Kevin]

Oops, I meant his knees

[[Q]]

Noah has been a monster but I've seen them lose to some pretty bad teams this year. I could see the Wizards upsetting them.

[JaoSming]

Bulls in 7, Wall gains dunk contest glory and shame

[shadowgrin]

Wizards in 6, as long as they remain healthy. If either one of Gortat, Nene, Ariza, Beal, Wall, and Webster goes down then Bulls in 6.

[NovU]

Lol. I voted for Wizard in 6. More likely a wrong choice but if there's an upset in the first round, I think this could be it.

[Alpha_]

This is going to be a close series. I'd say Wizards in 7.

[erudain]

Bulls in 6....lots of children with no playoff exp and who love to run. Playoffs basketball is tougher and more mid-court offensevely.
Bulls have a better coach also.

[deihatein]

Washington wins because the Mavs could have a draft pick if they just won against the Bobcats.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Bulls in 1.

Or, Bulls in 6.

[Mandich]

Oops, I meant his knees

Sure you did.

Bulls. More experience better coaching. Just can't see how Washington will take this one.

[rise]

Bulls take this easily. Noah>everybody.

John Wall is going to absolutely destroy DJ Augustin though.

[Moz]

As I expected John Wall is raping the Bulls backcourt and Nene is dominating their frontline... so far Augustin and the offensive boards are keeping the Bulls in this game...

EDIT*

Failing to control the loose balls and stagnant offense in the 4th killed the Bulls on this one... seems Thibs is not going to change his rotations even on the playoffs huh... he needs to adjust and experiment since his finishers tend to go flat especially on these scenarios that their offense' emphasis is the perimeter...

[Andrew]

An all too familiar tale as the Bulls couldn't buy a basket when it mattered the most. Credit to the Wizards, they defended well down the stretch, but when you're the lowest scoring team in the league, you're kind of giving your opponents a head start on that front.

[Moz]

Credit to the Wizards, they defended well down the stretch, but when you're the lowest scoring team in the league, you're kind of giving your opponents a head start on that front.

Yeh and their ball rotation is fantastic all game...

[Moz]

The Bulls badly need a post player for this series... they're wasting tons of time on those plays they're running on the perimeter (just endless picks, shot fakes, and running are happening)... Thibs should do a chest punch on Boozer (ala Phil Jackson on Gasol)... I mean look at him, all those muscle to just shoot 15 footers/fadeaways? I know he's capable to be that guy (see the Brooklyn series last year)...

[Andrew]

Agreed. They're letting another one slip away.

[Kevin]

Hinrich aint clutch

[Moz]

Dammit... I clicked Wizards instead of Bulls...

Perhaps my subconscious mind is right all this time... Well, it seems the Bulls was blindsided by Andre Miller... He's been the unsung hero so far for the Wizards....

[Andrew]

And away it goes, despite a lot of lucky breaks in the overtime period. Can't pin the whole thing on Hinrich, but he sure choked there in the final seconds.

I don't see the Bulls winning four straight unless they can really lift their play, or Michael Jordan in his prime steps through a time rip and it's declared that his contract is somehow still valid. Frankly, I'm not sure which of those scenarios is less plausible, but here's hoping they can get it together. I think it's going to have to go to seven games for the Bulls to get the job done.

[Lean]

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.