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NBA Playoffs – Know your opponent: Washington Wizards

Zack PearsonBy 4 Mins Read
d.j. augustin john wall nba chicago bulls washington wizards
d.j. augustin john wall nba chicago bulls washington wizards

Washington Wizards

After weeks of speculation, the Chicago Bulls know who they will play in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Bulls finished with the four seed in the Eastern Conference and will have home court advantage against the Washington Wizards.

In a year that saw the Bulls lose Derrick Rose to a knee injury again, a trade that sent Luol Deng to Cleveland and multiple injuries throughout, the Bulls have stuck together and are looking for a serious playoff run. In order to get to their goal, it all starts with the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards have really surprised a lot of NBA fans with their excellent back court play from John Wall and Bradley Beal who have been spectacular all season. The two are ready to leave their mark on the NBA Playoffs and it could spell trouble for the Bulls.

Wizards blogger Ben Mehic of Wiz of Awes joins me to breakdown the Wizards and give us some insight on what the series might have to offer.

Tale of the Tape

Record: 44-38; Second in Southeast Division

vs. Bulls: 2-1

Offense:

PPG: 100.7 (16th in NBA)

FG %: 45.9 %. (10th)

3-PT %: 38% (5th)

Defense:

PPG: 99.4 (8th)

FG %: .458% (13th)

Leaders:

PPG: John Wall 19.3

APG: John Wall 8.8

RPG: Marcin Gortat 9.5

Series Schedule (All times Central) *- if necessary

Game 1: Wizards @ Bulls; Sunday April 20, 6:00 p.m

Game 2: Wizards @ Bulls; Tuesday April 22, 8:30 p.m.

Game 3: Bulls @ Wizards; Friday April 25, 7:00 p.m.

Game 4: Bulls @ Wizards; Sunday April 27, 12:00 p.m.

Game 5: Wizards @ Bulls; Tuesday April 29; TBA*

Game 6: Bulls @ Wizards; Thursday May 1; TBA*

Game 7: Wizards @ Bulls; Saturday May 3; TBA*

What advantage do the Wizards have over the Bulls this series?

The Wizards young backcourt possess some problems for the Bulls guard positions. Wall and Beal are tough matchups for the Bulls and could be the difference maker in the series. Beal has struggled in the past month, but when he turns it on he can really turn it on.

“John Wall and Bradley Beal should have a significant advantage over Kirk Hinrich and D.J. Augustin, and I think we’ve seen them have some success against the Bulls during the regular season,” said Mehic. “Wall has averaged over 20 points and 8 assists on 50% shooting against Chicago, ultimately leading the Wizards to a 2-1 series lead over the Bulls during the season.”

But the playoffs are a new game and the Wall/Beal combo might have to play their best to have success against a tough Chicago defense.  “Of course, the playoffs are an entirely different atmosphere, so we’ll just have to see how Wall and Beal handle their first postseason appearance.”

Will Bradley Beal make an impact?

 I really don’t expect him to have a “coming out party” against the Bulls, especially given their elite defense and tendency to force mid-range jump shots, which is something Beal has had a hard time of knocking down at a consistent rate. He’s certainly a versatile scorer and we’ve seen him improve his ball handling ability, but let’s remember that Beal is just 20 years old.
– Wizards blogger Ben Mehic
Who will the Wizards focus on stopping?
Even with the loss of Derrick Rose and the Luol Deng trade, the Bulls are still a tough team to compete against and can be a force in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls aren’t an elite scoring team, but they can stifle you with their defense. The key for the Wizards should also be their own defense. Play good defense and limit the Bulls. That is the recipe for a Wizards series win.
The Wizards X-Factor?
John Wall. The success of the Wizards might untimely come down to John Wall in this series. The  23-year-old guard is getting his first playoff action and averaged 19.3 points per game in the regular season. He presents a tough matchup for both D.J. Augustin and Kirk Hinrich.
Key for the Wizards?
The key for the Wizards will be playing consistent defense, especially down the stretch. Chicago is going to bring their physical and defensive game. Can the Wizards last that? “If Washington wants to win, they’re going to have to find a way to get through scoring droughts, which seem like an inevitability against a team like Chicago,” said Mehic. We will see if the Wiz can avoid long scoring droughts and force Chicago to up their offensive game.

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