<div align="center">@ <font color="navy">The Washington Wizards 3-2</font> @ <font color="red">The Chicago Bulls 2-3</font> Time: 8:30 PM Eastern Place: MCI Center TV: ESPN, CSN</div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Wizards' Head Coach</font></font> <font color="navy">Eddie Jordan</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy"> Wizards' Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="navy">Series Stats Gilbert Arenas- 23.8 points, 6.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds Larry Hughes- 22.8 points, 4 assist, 7.4 rebounds Jared Jeffries- 6.4 points, 2.4 assists, 4.6 rebound Antawn Jamison- 18.0 points, 1.6 assist, 7.8 rebounds Brendan Haywood- 8.2 points, 1 assist, 6.6 rebounds</div></font> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="red">Bulls' Head Coach</font></font> <font color="red">Scott Skiles</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="red">Bulls' Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="red">Series Stats Chris Duhon- 6.4 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds Kirk Hinrich- 21 points, 5.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds Andres Nocioni- 11 points, 2.4 assists, 8.4 rebounds Othella Harrington- 9.6 points, 0.4 assist, 2.4 rebounds Antonio Davis- 10.2 points, 2.0 assists, 6.4 rebounds </font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Bench</font><font color="red"> Factors</font></font> Series Stats <font color="navy">Juan Dixon- 13.2 points, 1.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds</font> <font color="red">Ben Gordon- 17.4 points, 2.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds</font> </div> <font size="5"><font color="navy">Matchup </font><font color="red">Breakdowns</font></font> Point Guard <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas</font> VS. <font color="red">Chris Duhon</font> Arenas hit probably the biggest shot of his entire life on Wednesday as he hit the game winning jumper at the buzzer to send the Bulls home. With this in mind, I think Arenas will come out scorching hot as he knows what he is capable of and even more importantly; he knows him and the Wizards can secnd the Bulls home and move to the second round for the first time since the 80's. Knowing the significance of the game I think Arenas will explode and take his game to another level. I think he will go off and score in the 30's on a solid FG%. Duhon is more of a distributor than he is a scorer so don't expect him to be on scoring mode today. Look for him to get Gordon and Hinrich going early. Shooting Guard <font color="navy">Larry Hughes</font> VS. <font color="red">Kirk Hinrich</font> Larry Hughes was huge for the Wizards in Game 5. He had 33 points and was 10-14 for the line. Although he did miss a key free throw which is why Chicago was able to rally, if it wasn't him single handily scoring about 1/4 of the Wizards points, they might be down in the series. Hughes is a good scorer and passer so if Chicago tries to double, he is able to find the open man quite well. He will be going against Kirk Hinrich who has been performing quite well in the series. The sophomore from Kansas doesn't seem to faze him playing in so many big games in college. Hughes needs to be solid defensively because Hinrich averages 21 points and 48% from downtown! This should be an interesting matchup to see. ADVANTAGE: TOSS UP Small Forward <font color="navy">Jared Jeffries</font> VS. <font color="red">Andres Nocioni</font> Jarred Jeffries and Andres Nocioni in this one. Nocioni is a fierce compettitor and does everything in his power to get the victory. Seeing his team down 2-3 and in a position to be eliminated I think it might bring out some more fire in him. In Game 1 he managed to get 25 and 18 rebounds so with the Bulls backs being against the walls who knows what he might do. Jeffires needs to just continue making things tough for him and not give up defensively. ADVANTAGE: <font color="red">Chicago</font> Power Forward <font color="navy">Antawn Jamison</font> VS. <font color="red"> Othella Harrington</font> Othella Harrington and Antawn Jamison at the power forward. This can be a complete disaster for Harrington. Harrington is listed at 6'9, but he looks more 6'8 or maybe even 6'7. Jamison hs the height athleticism and the quickness to give Harrington problems on the offensive end. But defensively is where he lacks which is why Harrington is averaging 10 points in 18 minutes. Defensively Jamison needs to shows who is in charge and put some effort in. ADVANTAGE: <font color="navy">Washington</font> Center <font color="navy">Brendan Haywood</font> VS. <font color="red">Antonio Davis</font> This is a very evenly matchup between Haywood and Davis. I think that Haywood is going to do his thing in this game since their in the MCI center and the Wizards are looking to close out. It's pretty much a toss up though whoever wants it more will take advantage of the matchup. A dramatic confrontation for sure. ADVANTAGE: TOSS UP The Bench Chicago's The bench is loaded with talent and fire power. Ben Gordon provides valuable scoring and Tyson Chandler gives you that energy and heart factor. The nod definitely goes to Chicago on this one although Washington's bench is not a joke eithe rEtan Thomas and Juan Dixon coming off of it. ADVANTAGE: <font color="red">Chicago</font> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Key</font><font color="red"> Players</font></font> (<font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas</font>, <font color="red">Kirk Hinrich</font>) Projected Stats <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas: 35 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds</font> <font color="red">Kirk Hinrich: 26 points, 5 assists, 3 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">Keep Up The Rebounding!</font>- Watching the Washington Wizards have been rebounding exceptionally well and average 47 rebounds a game! If they continue, there is bound to be second chance opportunities that can be key down the stretch. Washington needs to continue this. [*]<font color="navy">Keep The Lead!</font>- Last time the Wizards had a 22 point lead in the game and let the Bulls come back and tie it! It has been due to missed free throws and not playing smart at the end of the game. Now with the Bulls in a possible situation where they can go home, I think if the Wizards give up a lead, they might not get it back. [*]<font color="navy">Keep on Passing!</font>- The ball doesn't seem to be distributed properly. I think too many isolation plays and unsmart decisions caused this. The Wizards were 28th in the NBA in assists per game during the regular season and it as translated into the playoffs a bit. Keep the ball going and try and get the best available shot; not just the quick one. [/list] <font color="red">Chicago:</font> <ul> [*]<font color="red">Bench!</font>- The Bulls have perhaps the deepest bench in the NBA. Chandler and Gordon need to continue playing well and creating firepower for the Bulls. Preserving a high energy level all game is what the Bulls need to do if they want to come away victorious. [*]<font color="red">Stop Runs!</font>- Although the Bulls made a great run, they shouldn't have been down by 22 in the first place. They need to stop the runs Washington makes and this time they might not be able to dig themselves out of it especially playing at the MCI Center. [*]<font color="red">Play With Heart!</font>- The Bulls are in a tough position if they lose they go home and their season will come to a dissapointing 0-4 series defeat. They need to play with heart and realize the severity of this game. [/list] <font size="5"><font color="navy">Random</font> <font color="red">Movie</font><font color="navy"> Quote</font>*: </font> Ace: "If I'm not back in five minutes...just wait longer!" - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective *Idea taken from Supersonic <font size="5"> <font color="red">Prediction</font></font> [I think the Wizards will win this one. Their last series win was sometime in the 80's and I think Eddie Jordan and everyone in the organization will try and pump up these Wizards to win. I also think they will come out with so much confidence after that buzzer beater win by Arenas. I', taking the Wizards 100-90 over the Bulls in Game 6.
Mike, you are the man. THANKS SO MUCH I see Washington taking this won and winning the series in 6, like I called from the beginning. Washington wins 105-100.
bulls lost that game. Duhon turning around wasa huge mistake. Arenas made a good block which turned the momentum. Why didnt Chandler call a T.O after the 3 point miss by Nocioni?
:beerchug: :dance: :bouncy: :yippee: :049: :family: :sun: :jumping: <font color="navy">WOOHOOO WASHINGTON WOOHOOO! We didn't even deserve to win this game and we won ! ! ! ! Play of the game - That block by Arenas on Hughes, that was PHAT! Jared Jeffries, who didn't give a rat's ass all game, with the huge play to win us the game. Arenas struggled, Hughes struggled, Jamison struggled, and we still won. Ruffin was the player of the game though, he was all over the place....Ben Gordon was shut down...time to go "party" with my girl..peace</font>
WIZARDS WIN!!! Congratulations to them as they move onto the second round and face the Heat. Well deserved win and a great season for them.
You can tell that Chicago is still a young take. That Jefferies steal wasn't because Jeffereies broke the passsing lane or anything, but it was a dumb miscommunication by two young players. Thats why you need experience in the playoffs poeple. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Play of the game - That block by Arenas on Hughes, that was PHAT!</div> Lol, you mean Arenas on Hinirch.
WHAT A GAME... WHAT A SERIES... I never expected the Wizards to win the game... Gordon was damn cold tonight...the Bulls made a costly turnover, and they lose the game themselves. So next round, 0-4 or can the Wizards get at least a win? good luck...
It was a great series, I missed the game tonight, very dissapointed in that, but I'm happy the Wizards came out with the win, it's on NBA TV right now in a replay, so I'm going to go watch it.
Heart break for the Baby Bulls, losing on a tough turnover. I was surprised to see Duhon make a mental mistake, it just goes to show the pressure in the NBA Playoffs can break the nerves of fundamental players. Tyson Chandler is taking a lot of heat for shooting that 2 point shot, but he panicked and his lack of experience got the best of him. One thing I couldn't understand was the lack of playing time by Ben Gordon? He started the game, but only played 16 minutes. The Bulls could have used him down the stretch, he's been clutch all season for them. Props to the Wizards winning a playoff series, the last time was in 1982. Gilbert Arenas won the last game with a jumper, and this game with a blockshot. Great players can win games even when they are struggling to score. Also where would the Wiz be tonight without the energy Ruffin gave them off the bench. The former player drafted by the Bulls came back to haunt them in this game. Funny Michael Jordan moment ... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Incredible as it may seem, Wizards coach Jordan was drinking a cup of water when Arenas' hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 5. ``I was sitting down,'' Jordan said. ``I said, 'Well, I've called the play, it's on them.' I'm drinking a sip of water, and the thing went in -- and the water went up. I baptized myself.'' ... Win or lose, the Wizards knew they would have to catch a flight for a Sunday game: either Game 7 at Chicago or Game 1 at Miami. ``I've got my suntan lotion on one side of my bag, and my parka coat on the other side of the bag,'' Jordan said. ``So I'm going with that bag one way or the other.''</div> I'm not sure I give the Wizards much of a chance against the Heat. They are going to have their hands full, and the trio needs to play more consistent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">You can tell that Chicago is still a young take. That Jefferies steal wasn't because Jeffereies broke the passsing lane or anything, but it was a dumb miscommunication by two young players. Thats why you need experience in the playoffs poeple. Lol, you mean Arenas on Hinirch.</div> Haha yea, I was too caught up in my excitement
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Tyson Chandler is taking a lot of heat for shooting that 2 point shot, but he panicked and his lack of experience got the best of him. </div> espcially seeing as we still had a timeout left i believe and 4 seconds when he got the rebound. What also caused momentum for the Wizkids was that flagrant foul he caused, that was just stupid.
yeah, I didn't mind the round 2 shirts, they're happy, and they probably know Miami is gonna put a hurting on them.
