ESPN Insider Bulls/Wizards gam3 review, game 4 preview

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The Straightshooter
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ESPN Insider Brian James provides a scouting report update. To read his previous scouting report on this series, click here.

Keys in Game 3

Bulls: In their 117-99 Game 3 loss Saturday, the Chicago Bulls were the nonaggressor for the first time in this series. You could tell that Ben Gordon was not himself, suffering with the flu and only contributing eight points. Andres Nocioni and Tyson Chandler spent time on the bench with assorted injuries. But the Bulls could not control the dribble penetration of the Wizards and, as a result, the Wizards' frontcourt just had to catch the ball, then finish directly under the basket. Gordon and Kirk Hinrich were averaging a combined 47 points in the series until getting only 21 points combined Saturday. Also, many of the Bulls' 19 turnovers were committed in the decisive third quarter. In that stanza, the Wizards scored 11 points in transition, which helped provide a 13-point edge entering the fourth period.

Wizards: The Washington Wizards' 2-3 zone defense was used for most of the middle quarters. This enabled coach Eddie Jordan to keep his guards out and his big men inside and took a lot of the screen-roll away from the Bulls' offense. The Wizards were much more aggressive, and it resulted in them shooting 49 free throws, compared with a combined total of 69 in the previous two games. But Etan Thomas was the star. Thomas was 8-for-9 from the field for a total of 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds; he did all this in just 23 minutes. Finally, someone besides the Big Three of Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes and Antawn Jamison stepped up for the Wizards. In fact, the inside front line had 37 points and 21 rebounds. Even the Bulls' tactic of fouling poor free-throw shooter Michael Ruffin – the "Rough a Ruff" – failed as Ruffin (.464 career FT aim) made 5 of 7 free throws against his former team. Arenas and Hughes finally dominated the backcourt matchups as many thought they would, outscoring their Bulls counterparts 53-21. The Big Three were dominant with a combined 74 points, 22 rebounds. They shot 24-for-25 from the free-throw line. In this game, the Wizards attacked the goal, were the more aggressive team and seemed to come up with every loose ball.

Adjustments for Game 4

Bulls: Coach Scott Skiles wants and needs the Bulls to play the physical brand of basketball his team displayed in the first two games. The Bulls' backcourt needs to do a better job of limiting the dribble penetration; when the Wizards' guards penetrate, the Bulls' frontcourt players come up to stop the ball. When this happened in Game 3, Thomas and Ruffin were open for feeds and each had a big night. etting back to fronting the low post at all times, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey, is a priority, as well. The Bulls should hope Gordon's flu bug has passed. The Bulls must do a better job of attacking the 2-3 zone.

Wizards: The home team has won every game in this series, and it seems the inexperience of the visitors shows at times. Look for the Wizards' crowd to be even more vocal in Game 4. If the Big Three for Washington can get the 67 points they averaged during the regular season, and have someone else play over his head (as Thomas did in Game 3), look for the Wizards to tie this series. Washington probably will play more zone defense than any team left in the entire playoffs. Game 4 will be won or lost by the battle inside the paint. Keeping Hinrich from his penetrating drives to the rim must be a priority. The defense must continue the pressure and come up with scores before the Bulls can lock in their top-rated defense in the half court.

Brian James, a former assistant coach with the Pistons, Raptors and Wizards, is a regular contributor to Insider.
 

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