NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference First Round
Game 3 - Washington leads series 2-0
Tip-off: Friday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Washington -3, Total: 181.5

The Wizards look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead on Friday night when they head back home to host the Bulls for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Chicago had a comfortable 10-point lead with less than seven minutes remaining in Game 2, but allowed Washington to come roaring back to tie it up and eventually win 101-99 in overtime. The Wizards are now two wins away from securing their first playoff series victory since 2005, which was the only year they have won a postseason series since 1982. They are a pedestrian 22-19 SU (16-23 ATS) at home this season, but they have been rolling with six straight wins (SU and ATS). The Bulls have been a strong road team this season at 21-20 SU (20-20-1 ATS), but are just 1-4 (SU and ATS) in the past five games overall, shooting under 40% FG in both road games during this timeframe. Over the past three seasons, Washington is 7-5 SU and 8-4 ATS against Chicago. Four of the five games played between these teams in the nation's capital over the past three seasons have gone Under the total. Over the past two seasons, the Bulls are 15-3 ATS (83%) in road games on a Friday night, but they are also a stellar 27-14 ATS (66%) off a home loss in the past three seasons. However, the Wizards are 24-13 ATS (65%) when playing six or less games in 14 days over the past two seasons, and are also 26-16 ATS (62%) after one or more consecutive overs this season.

The Bulls desperately needed a Game 2 victory, and despite their spectacular effort defensively, they were unable to pull out a win in overtime. PG D.J. Augustin (20.5 PPG, 5.0 APG in series) was huge off the bench for Chicago, finishing the game with a team-high 25 points (10-of-22 FG, 4-of-8 threes) and seven assists in 41 minutes. Augustin also led his team with a +8 rating in his 41 minutes, and his speed off the bench really helps open up the floor for the Bulls offense. PF Taj Gibson (17.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.0 BPG in series) also was big for Chicago off the bench in Game 2 with 22 points (7-of-17 FG), 10 rebounds and three blocks in 36 minutes. His athleticism and strength inside gave the Wizards' frontcourt some serious problems. C Joakim Noah (15.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.5 APG in series) continues his efforts to will his team to victories but he cannot do it all by himself. Noah had 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in 46 minutes of play on Tuesday, but not all was great as he had five turnovers, five fouls and a minus-4 rating for the game. Noah has struggled defensively at times, but what it really comes down to for Chicago is a lack of perimeter scoring. SG Jimmy Butler (10.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG in series) had just six points on 2-of-9 FG in Game 2 and will need to start hitting his shots with consistency if the Bulls are going to claw their way back into this series.

The Wizards made the ultimate statement as they went into Chicago and came away with not one, but two road victories as the lower-seeded team in this series. One of the biggest reasons for the success of this Washington team is the play of PF Nene Hilario (20.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG in series). He was injured late in the season, but is looking healthier now than he ever has. In Game 2, the big man scored 17 points while also pulling down seven rebounds before fouling out. He has made 19-of-30 shots (63% FG) so far in the series, while really giving Noah trouble on both ends. SG Bradley Beal (19.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.5 APG in series) hit some huge shots down the stretch on Tuesday to help get the Wizards back into the game and ultimately win. He had 26 points (9-of-20 FG, 4-of-7 threes) and seven rebounds after scoring just 13 points in Game 1. PG John Wall (16.0 PPG, 6.5 APG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG) wasn’t necessarily efficient scoring the ball with 16 points (6-of-15 FG) in 44 minutes in Game 2, but he was making excellent decisions late in the game and finished the contest with seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. SF Trevor Ariza (13.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.0 APG in series) provided a well-rounded stat line of eight points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a game-high +12 rating on Tuesday, while the bench also pitched in with SF Martell Webster, PF Trevor Booker and PG Andre Miller combining for 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting.