Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls Watch FREE: Live Streaming NBA PLAYOFF Basketball Game Online Free from United Center at 7:00 PM ET
The Bulls head into Sunday's playoff opener against the Wizards as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They overcame significant hurdles to win 48 games and secure home-court advantage in the first round.
They lost Derrick Rose to a season-ending injury to his right knee in November after he sat out last season because of surgery on his left knee, and they traded away one of their top remaining players in Luol Deng.
Not only did the Bulls get by, they started to flourish just when it looked as though they might come apart. With 36 victories since Jan. 1, the Bulls led the Eastern Conference and captured the fourth seed.
After losing to Miami in the second round last year, Chicago is looking to make a run at the Heat and Indiana Pacers this time around.
The Wizards might have something to say about that after winning 44 games to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008 behind John Wall.
"I think a lot of people are writing us off, not saying we really have a chance," Wall said. "We know what's ahead of us. We've got a couple of young guys who haven't played in the playoffs, but we have great veterans.
Here are a few things to look for in this best-of-7 series.
The Bulls know they need to keep Wall out of the paint. They also know it won't be easy.
The 23-year-old point guard was an All-Star for the first time this season and is about to get his first taste of the playoffs after missing out his first three years.
"Every aspect of your defense is going to be five guys tied together," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You're not going to slow him down one on one. ... His speed is terrific. He makes and misses, but he pushes hard."
Wall averaged 19.3 points and led the league in total assists. He also committed more turnovers than anyone else, and while he's improved his outside shot, he still converted only about 35 percent of his 3-pointers.
SIDELINE MATCHUP: One thing to watch is the chess match on the sideline. Thibodeau is 205-107 and has led the Bulls to the playoffs in all four seasons. Then there's Randy Wittman, 191-329 in parts of eight seasons with Cleveland, Minnesota and Washington and in the postseason for the first time.
NENE'S KNEE: Nene, who missed 21 games late in the season because of the knee injury, was wearing a red, white and blue brace at practice Saturday. Wittman hinted he might keep using him off the bench because it worked out fine that way down the stretch.
Nene had little to say about the knee.
The game will be live streaming at www.nbalivestreamfree.net
