<div align="center">. Larry Hughes MUST take advantage of this. Duhon plays good defense, but I don't think it is good enough to completely shut down Larry Hughes. Hughes has the height advantage here, he needs to utilize that. Shoot over Duhon, post him up if need be, just take advantage of the height. Hughes is a threat on both offense and defense, the same can't be said for Duhon. Hughes should have a field day with this matchup. ADVANTAGE: <font color="navy">Washington</font> Small Forward <font color="navy">Jared Jeffries</font> VS. <font color="red">Andres Nocioni</font> This should be a really interesting matchup. Nocioni is a very ferocious defender. He is very aggressive and isn't afraid to throw an elbow or two. Jeffries, on the other hand, is very lanky, but can be timid at times. He could be an above average defender if he wasn't always timid. He needs to attack Nocioni, who is very capable of scoring, from the get go. Nocioni on the other hand, doesn't have to do much. All he needs to do is play his usual game and he shouldn't have much of a problem with Jeffries. ADVANTAGE: <font color="red">Chicago</font> Power Forward <font color="navy">Antawn Jamison</font> VS. <font color="red"> Othella Harrington</font> Once again, another easy matchup for Washington in my eyes. Jamison is just overall a way better player than Othella is. The only thing Othellas has that can hamper Jamison's game is size, he really isn't that skilled on offense or defense. He needs to use his body if he wants to get into Jamison's head. Jamison has to take Othella both outside and inside, make him feel uncomfortable out there on the court. The biggest thing for Jamison though, shoot over 50%. We can't have him out there on the wings hoisting up jumpers, we need him getting to the hoop and posting up. ADVANTAGE: <font color="navy">Washington</font> Center <font color="navy">Brendan Haywood</font> VS. <font color="red">Antonio Davis</font> This is a very good matchup. Both are big in size, both have had a run-in in the past (well..Haywood was actually backing down ). This matchup is bound to get physical so Haywood can't be intimidated. We need 10 ppg and atleast 8 rpg from him to win this series. Davis needs to make Haywood feel uncomfortable out there, he needs to be very physical, yet not overly aggressive. This matchup could easily see things heat up, I wouldn't be surprised if any of these two players get technicals thrown their way. ADVANTAGE: TOSS UP The Bench Ahh. Chicago wins this by a mile. Tyson Chandler, Ben Gordon, Eric Piatkowski, and Jannero Pargo are all players capable of having a minimal effect in this game, but Ben Gordon is going to have an awesome series...I can feel it. Washington on the other hand has...Kwame Brown. This year has been horrible for him, injury-riddled and in-effective, this is his time to make an impact, to earn his contract. He has had a couple of good games in a row, lets continue that. If not, there isn't much hope for our bench. Etan Thomas has been a shell of what we thought we re-signed to a gargantuan contract (VERY OVERPAID). Dixon has been effective this year, but can he keep it up? He tends to disappear for awhile, not now. Steve Blake? Anthony Peeler was acquired for this reason here...veteran leadership during the playoffs, will that help us? ADVANTAGE: <font color="red">Chicago</font> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Key</font><font color="red"> Matchup</font></font> (<font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas</font>, <font color="red">Kirk Hinrich</font>) Projected Stats <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas: 27 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds</font> <font color="red">Kirk Hinrich: 17 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds</div></font> <font size="5"><font color="navy">Keys</font><font color="red"> to</font><font color="navy"> the</font><font color="red"> Game</font></font> <font color="navy">Washington:</font> <ul> [*]<font color="navy">Win the Back Court Battle</font>- It is no secret that our backcourt of Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes have been 75% of the reason why we are in this series. Gilly and Hughes (or as I like to call them...<font color="navy">Capital Punishment</font>) need to continue their career years and out-hustle, out-play, out-everything the Chicago backcourt that includes Ben Gordan, Hinrich, and Chris Duhon. [*]<font color="navy">Will the Bigmen Show Up?</font>- Oh, what a great question. Brendan Haywood and Kwame Brown...will you show up? This could be an easy series for us if they do, why? Because Chicago simply doesn't have a big threat from the low post without Eddy Curry. Kwame is more than capable of pouring in 20 pts and grabbing 10 boards, but will he? Same goes for 'Wood, he is capable of putting in 15 and grabbing 10..but will he show up? [*]<font color="navy">The Bench</font>- Please please please, please just please...show up. Come to play. Dixon, Blake, Peeler, Thomas, Brown, and everyone else...show up. Chicago has a much better bench than us, so this is going to be huge for us if we have some production from our bench. [/list] <font color="red">Chicago:</font> <ul> [*]<font color="red">Come Out Strong</font>- They are in the playoffs for the first time since Michael Jordan put that dagger in Jazz fans, so naturally the United Center should be alive. If the Bulls come out strong, there is no reason why they can't control the tempo all game long. The energy is going to be rocking, take advantage of that. [*]<font color="red">Ben Gordon</font>- Ah, this kid is spectacular. He deserves both 6th man and Rookie of the Year in my eyes. He should be able to come in here and put in 20 points with ease, but with all the anticipation and hype that will be in the building, I wouldn't be surprised for him to drop in atleast 25 points. [*]<font color="red">The Bigs</font>- The same goes for Chicago here, they need their bigmen to step up. Without their leading scorer, Eddy Curry, they really don't have a scoring big man presence to be felt. If Tyson can come in here and score 15, the loss of Curry won't be so sour, but if he can't and no one else steps up...this could be the Bull's downfall. [/list] <font size="5"><font color="navy">Random</font> <font color="red">Movie</font><font color="navy"> Quote</font>*: </font> Peter: It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that I don't care. *Idea taken from Supersonic <font size="5"> <font color="red">Prediction</font></font> This is the most exciting matchup in the whole first round. Both very young and exciting teams who can run. I like the Wizards in this one, just because we don't have as many key injuries as the Bulls do. I see this series going 6 games, with Washington winning. I take Washington 104-101.
Kirk Hinrich is the one who will be guarding Hughes. He's the starting 2guard, not Duhon This'll be a great game. I'm so excited to see DA BULLS, MY BULLS, back in the playoffs. Makes me feel all warm inside . Anyways, I think Duhon could handle Arenas to a point where he won't dominate, he'll play about as good as he always does, and Kirk should be able to have the first-step advantage when Larry's guarding him(but Hughes will post him up alot, I'm sure). Larry probably wins that matchup, but I dont think either of them will be able to guard the other that well. Othella will give us roughly 13 points a game and about 6 rebounds. Not bad, but he won't be able to matchup against Jamison well. Jamison owns this matchup. I dont know who will win Game one. I'm gonna go with my gut, as my brain wont come up with a conclusion: Bulls win 93-86. We're at home, big big big crowds there, may be a bit too much for the Wizards to be away on their first playoff game in quite a while. (As it will be for the Bulls when they visit Washington).
We gotta rebound well (Tyson) and not has another disater like we did last time we played them (No Nocioni, No Chandler)
The bench will be huge here for Chicago. The Wizards can't let Ben Gordon get going when he comes in early, or they won't stop him. He'll be the key factor in this series for the Bulls. If he can come up big and knock in 20 or so off the bench every night, Washington won't win. Next thing is the big three for the Wiz. They all need to step up and play their best. If one of them has an off night, they could be in very big trouble. Without a good and consistent bench, one of them having an off night could make it very tough for Washington. Next is the Wizards have got to take advantage and attack the hoop when Chandler isn't in the game. If he's not in there, it'll be much easier for Arenas and Hughes to get to the hoop and get some easy baskets. If he's in there though, his prescence alone will make it that much harder for them. The final thing that will be a deciding factor is coaching. I think the Bulls have a clear advantage in this category. Scott Skiles has done an unbelievable job of getting the most out of his young talent and getting them all to play defense and buy into his philosophies. Beyond that, he's done a great job at coaching them through injury problems as of late. Despite not having Curry or Deng over the past monthish, they've still compiled a winning and very respectable record. On the other side, Jordan wasn't able to get his team to win too much when Jamison went down as far as I know. That right there shows who has the coaching edge I think. All in all, I think this will be an excellent series. The teams match up very well and this is about the only first round series you can say that with. However, I see the Bulls taking this in seven. They have the defense, balance, and team play. Three things Washington isn't too great at. If the Wiz are to win this one, they have to hope that the big three play great and they have to stop the Bulls role players. It's no secret that the reason the Bulls are so good is because of defense and balance. If the Bulls can play good defense and consistent offense, they should be able to take out Washington in 7 games.
I think that this game is going to come down to hustle plays. the team with the most courtburns wins this one. As the series goes on the biggest factor against the Wizards will be fatigue. With a weak bench their big 3 will play enormous minutes. And if the wizards allow the bulls to take it 6 or 7 games the odds are against them. On paper the Wizards are favorites to win this series. But the confident unselfish young bulls havent layed down to any team after the allstar break. I think that the wizards will come out over confident in this game start out hot but fizzle and let the bulls get back in the game to win. Frankly I think that will be the story of the whole series "Wizards starting stong but in the end being worn out." I wont talk on the matchups, all of the key points have been made. I see the game going like this. Washington - Chicago 1stQtr 29 - 24 2ndQtr 25 - 25 Halftime 54 - 49 3rdQtr 19 - 23 4thQtr 22 - 26 Final 95 - 98 BULLS WIN! Go Bulls!
Bulls is suck that's my trolling for today. Anyways in all seriousness, I see the Bulls taking this first game at the United Center. The Bulls will come out hungry and looking to make a point, and take this one. The Wizards will bounce back and take the second game at the United Center, and make things real interesting. Bulls 97 Wizards 96 The Bulls are really going to need Ben Gordon to produce in at least 2 of the other 3 quarters that aren't the 4th. They're lacking in scoring, especially in their starting lineup, and if he doesn't give them scoring eariler on, they wn't be in situations to win the game in the 4th quarter. It will be interesting to see how Gordon fares when he's more fatigued in the closing minutes, and if he'll still be as effective a game closer.
Man ive been waiting for this day to come for 7 years. I.......I think im gonna . but dont worry its the happy kind.
How many times have they even been in the playoffs since 1982 . Actually it's been 6 times, but I don't think those kind of things matter really since it's not the same team. Also they haven't made the playoffs as the Wizards yet, only as the Bullets
Ahh, but so is that Larry Hughes guy.. Great game so far. No Arenas, no Jamison. All Kwame and Hughes for the Wizards. All Ben Gordon and company for the Bulls.
Damn I love the way Chris Duhon plays the game. Tyson Chandler's block on Kwame was ridiculous. I can't believe how well the Bulls rookies are playing Duhon, Gordon, and Nocioni are all having huge games for the Bulls. Best game of the playoffs so far, neither team will back down.
What a great game. I really hope the refs are better next game. This was just awfully called. If Tyson wasn't in foul trouble the whole game, I think this wouldn't have been as close.
I think people underestimated the bulls Defence. Charles Barkley is a know it all. He said that the bulls wouldnt win because noone could score but Ben. 23-18 from nochioni aint suprizing for a bulls fan considering he played about 45 minutes tonight. Chandler was able to control the middle in the second half his presence was enough to contain Brown. And Duhons Dunk was the highlight of the night for me because he gets alot of points on break aways and never dunked it until tonight, I guess he was waiting for a special occasion. The only down side for the bulls is they missed 4 freethrows in a row in the last 50 seconds that is unacceptable(jitters). but we still won by nine. the bulls ability to hold teams below 100 is remarkble. If we win this series and play the pistons it will be a good series also. we've split that series during the regular season. HELL YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!! The BUUUULS aaaare back in town Yeah Yeah YEEEEAAAAHHHH!
The only down side wasnt that the bulls missed the last 4 free throws but how many fouls they had in the first half. I believe the wizards went to the line+30.
Oh yeah I forgot to ask if the bulls do win this series dont they play the Heat?? Last time I checked the bulls cant beat the heat.
Another fun Fact the wizards havent won a best of 7 since 1979. My prediction wasnt too far off the bulls scoring the actual qtr breakdown for them was 1st 24, 2nd 29, 3rd 24, 4th 26 I was close on the wiz scoring too but I didnt expect them to have such a low scoring 4th qtr.
That playoff sticker on the United Center floor looks so beautiful. Great, no, AMAZING game by our rookies. Very nice way to start off this series. GO BULLS!
man what a game! im so happy for chicago cuz i have relatives there and they went to the game and told me all about it. it was great! go bulls, i hate washington. i think u guys are gonna make it to the next round! thumbs up.
Amazing games by our rookies, especially Nocioni. Monster on the boards tonight. For that matter, set an NBA record for rebounds in a playoff game by a rookie. And Ben Gordon once again came up big in the 4th, scoring 12 or his 30 in the final period. If the Bulls can get production somewhat similar to this every night from their guys, their gonna be tough to beat. Oh, and great defense also. Held the Wiz to 39% fgs I believe and they completely shut down Jamison and Arenas all game, and shut down Hughes after the half, holding him to just seven points. And does anyone have a video clip of that block, I didn't see the game and it's not on ESPN.com, so if someone has it, it would be great if you posted it.
