Bulls vs Wizards NBA Picks
The team that nobody wanted to face is in deep trouble as this series moves to Washington. After dropping the first two at home it is difficult to imagine that this spirited but flawed team is about to go on a series changing run.[ad-4468020]
Chicago Bulls (0-2) vs Washington Wizards (2-0)
Friday April 25
Verizon Center – Washington, DC
8:00PM
Moneyline: Washington -150, Chicago +130
Spread: Washington -3
Total: 182.5
NBA Odds: [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Chicago
The thing they have to be hoping for now is respectability.
Losing in overtime in the playoffs is something that can linger though…and their trademark defense has not been as sharp.
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The Bulls are the lowest scoring team in the league so it was a big surprise to see three 20 point scorers in their G2 loss.
Those three were D.J. Augustin, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah and all three will have to play well again. Gibson and Augustin got their points familiarly off the bench but Chicago needs more from their starting forwards.
Similar to the regular season Carlos Boozer has not been much of a factor in the playoffs.
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If Chicago is going to get off the mat they are going to play nice and loose in G3. The Wizards can not have anticipated that they would take two in Chicago so there could be a subconscious inclination to take their foot off the gas.
Still I am not sure that backing the Bulls as small dogs is the way to go.
Washington
The biggest surprise of the first round so far has to be the play of the Wizards – though it was no surprise to me if you will recall. More than anything else Washington has been playing with poise as their young backcourt is not looking overwhelmed by the moment at all.
Coming back home they have a golden opportunity but I don’t expect the Bulls to wave the white flag. As long as Washington bring the same intensity home they can keep winning.
In G2 Bradley Beal was the star for Washington with 26 points, double his G1 total. Beal has proven to be a versatile scorer, a rare shooter who is also adept at taking it to the rack and getting 3 point plays the old fashioned way.
Nene fouled out for the second game in a row but also did a lot of damage while he was on the court with 17 and 7 while inside mate Marcin Gort was a non-factor.
The Wizards are not a juggernaut but it is hard not to like them coming back home for G3.
Sure it is well documented that they have been a really good road team all season but this is the playoffs and I don’t think they are going to lay an egg.
As long as this one stays within one possession I am sticking with Washington.
Spread prediction: Washington -3
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Washington 99 – Chicago 95
