Chicago Bulls: Playoff Hopes On Life Support
The Chicago Bulls playoff hopes took a major hit following their 98-89 loss to the Washington Wizards in Game 4.
Do the Bulls have what it takes to overcome a 3-1 deficit after dropping three of the first four games—a feat that only eight teams have accomplished in NBA history?
Bulls fans will not agree, but the answer to that question is no, and here are a few reasons why:
Scoring options limited by Wizards defense
The first example of this dates back to Game 2.
D.J. Augustin was a big reason why the Bulls offense was clicking heading into the fourth quarter that contest.
However, Augustin was held scoreless over the final 13 minutes with Trevor Ariza defending him.
As a result, the Bulls produced just four baskets between the 7:00 mark in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The Wizards demonstrated this ability again in Game 4.
After Mike Dunleavy dropped 35 points in Game 3, including a franchise-record eight 3-pointers, the Wizards opted to shadow him with Bradley Beal and Trevor Ariza in Game 4.
What was the outcome?
Dunleavy was held scoreless in the first half, and finished the contest with just six points on 3-for-8 shooting.
When a team can consistently limit the effectiveness of its opponent’s primary scorers, they will usually win the series more times than not.
That being said, it is hardly a surprise that the young, upstart Wizards are one game way from winning their first playoff series since 2005.
Wizards growing confident with each game
One of the advantages the Bulls were supposed to have coming into this series was the fact they had been here before, and that they knew what it took win tough playoff games despite missing key players such as Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.
Meanwhile, the Wizards were billed as the team that would eventually wilt under the pressure because they had not played in a postseason game since 2008.
Needless to say, things have certainly changed since the series began.
In the first two games, the Wizards overcame double-digit deficits to steal both games in Chicago.
And although they did lose Game 3, the Wizards responded with a huge win in Game 4, proving to the Bulls and everyone else that they are a better team than most people expected.
How confident are the Wizards heading into the next game?
Well, Wizards big man Marcin Gortat offered this statement when he was asked how he thought Game 5 would play out, per John Townsend of ESPN:
"I’ll tell you how it’s gonna work: [Nene’s] gonna come back in two days, he’s gonna drop 30, we’re gonna win the game. Everybody is gonna carry him on their shoulders. That’s how it is. That’s what kind of business we are."
Before the series began, it would have been foolish for Gortat to make such a bold statement.
But based on how well the Wizards have played against the league’s top-ranked defense, they have every reason to believe they can close out the series in Chicago.
Bulls playoff history when trailing 3-1
If you are still convinced the Bulls have a slight change to win this series, here is a another dose of reality for you.
The Bulls are 0-8 in playoff series where they have trailed 3-1, with only two of those of those series advancing to a sixth game.
In addition to that, the Washington Wizards are a perfect 5-0 when leading 3-1 in a postseason series.
In other words, the Bulls will find a way to win Game 5, but they will exit the playoffs in the first round for the second time in three seasons.
James Tillman is a Staff Writer for HoopsHabit.com and a sports contributor for Football Nation and Sports Kings/Pass The Pill. James is also a former Featured Sports Contributor for Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @JTILLMAN9693.