New-look Wizards snap Bulls' win streak
The Bulls' chances of extending their four-game winning streak looked promising on paper.
But Washington demonstrated that chemistry can develop quickly by roaring from behind to beat the Bulls 101-95 at the Verizon Center on Monday. The new-look Wizards have won three of their last four.
"They have enough players," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro told reporters after the game. "They've just had some difficult adversity this season."
The Wizards (20-34) completely gutted their familiar starting lineup, trading Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson during the past two weeks. Gilbert Arenas remains on full-season suspension for storing unloaded guns in his locker.
So it would seem as though Washington was giving up on the season. But a closer look at the new Wizards reveals a long and athletic lineup that could give teams trouble.
Washington added a couple of versatile swingmen in Josh Howard (ex-Dallas) and Al Thornton (ex-Clippers). It's now starting spring-loaded 7-footers Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee inside. Veteran guards Randy Foye and Mike Miller are still around.
The Wizards even picked up a couple of good role players in power forward James Singleton and defensive stopper Quinton Ross along the way. Both helped against the Bulls.
Howard left the game early with a knee injury, but the Wizards found plenty of help. Blatche, who's had big games against the Bulls in the past, piled up 25 points and 11 rebounds. Thornton scored 17 off the bench and Foye had 16.
Rose led the Bulls with 22 points and the team's newcomers continued to shine. Flip Murray scored 16 points, while Hakim Warrick had 12.
While winning eight of their previous 10 road games, the Bulls (29-27) made a habit of turning up the defensive pressure in the second half. But on Monday, the tables were turned.
The difference in the game was a long scoring drought during the third quarter. The Bulls were coasting along with a 58-48 advantage shortly after halftime.
Then they missed 12 straight field-goal attempts, and tossed in three traveling violations for good measure, while Washington took control with a 17-2 run.
"They kind of put us back on our heels a little bit and we couldn't do anything constructive offensively to put any pressure on them," Del Negro said. "Defensively, we weren't good enough tonight. We got outrebounded. I thought they outworked us."
Foye's layup at the buzzer put the home team ahead 77-72 at the end of three and the lead kept on growing. After sinking 5 straight free throws, the Wizards were in control 93-80 with 5:24 remaining.
Rose had other ideas. After a Kirk Hinrich 3-pointer, Rose scored 4 straight baskets, turning the last into a 3-point play. When Newcomer Flip Murray buried a 3-pointer, the Bulls were suddenly within 96-95 with 1:55 left.
Thornton stopped the momentum with a turnaround in the lane. Luol Deng missed on the other end and Foye's jumper put the home team ahead 100-95 with 1:01 remaining. The Bulls missed their final 5 shots of the night.
Center Joakim Noah played for the second straight game after missing seven with a sore left foot. He produced 6 points and 2 rebounds in 12 minutes. Lindsey Hunter was not with the team because of personal reasons.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Mike McGraw's game tracker</p>
<p class="News">Wizards 101, Bulls 95</p>
<p class="News"><b>Odd group of Wizards:</b> Their entire starting lineup might be gone, but the Wizards had enough pieces left to end the Bulls' four-game winning streak. Behind forward Andray Blatche, Washington dominated the third quarter to erase a 10-point halftime deficit.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Much too late:</b> After falling behind 93-80 with 5:24 left, Derrick Rose scored 9 points in a 15-3 run to bring the Bulls within 96-95 with 1:54 left, but the scoring stopped there.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Streak over</b>: For anyone wondering, the Bulls' longest winning streak since the championship era is nine games, recorded from March 19 to April 2, 2005.</p>