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 The Wizards (17-19) were missing three players, including starting
center Marcin Gortat (left knee), but they won their second straight
game by handing the Bulls (22-14) their second loss in a row.
Washington got points from 10 players, including seven who finished
in double-figure scoring. Point guard John Wall led them all with 17
points and 10 assists.
"I just think we match up against this team very well," Wall said.
"Sometimes it goes their way when they come to our house, and we
come here and we've been winning lately."
The Wizards have won their past two games in Chicago dating to last
season, when they and the Bulls split their four-game season series.
Wall played a key role again, but he wasn't alone. Guard Garrett
Temple, forward Otto Porter and center Nene scored 14 points apiece,
while reserves Ramon Sessions (16 points), Gary Neal (11 points) and
Drew Gooden (10 points and 12 rebounds) led a strong surge from the
Washington bench.
The Wizards' reserves outscored Chicago's 47-32.
"(Gooden) was really good for us off the bench tonight," Washington
coach Randy Wittman said. "We had seven guys in double figures and
two more with eight (points). That tells me we didn't care who
scored. We played as a team."
Guard Derrick Rose led Chicago with 23 points, while Bulls shooting
guard Jimmy Butler added 19 points and center Pau Gasol had 15
points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulls lost consecutive games for the first time since dropping
three in a row Dec. 18-21.
"Flat start," Gasol said, referring to the Wizards never trailing in
the first quarter and leading 62-48 at the half. "They were more
aggressive than we were. Defensively, things are not the way things
need to be. We need to be better, (with) more physicality on the
defensive end."
Trailing 83-74 to start the fourth, the Bulls cut the Wizards' lead
to four points twice early in the quarter. Forward Doug McDermott's
four-point play pulled Chicago to within 89-85 with 9:34 left, but
Washington regrouped.
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The Wizards blitzed the Bulls in the next 4:58, going on an 18-4 run
to build a 107-89 lead and cruise to the win. Wall had seven points
in the run, which also included baskets by Temple, Nene and
Sessions.
"We dug ourselves another hole, found a way out and cut it to four,"
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "We had a chance to cut it to two and
missed a couple of easy ones. It takes some energy to climb out of
that hole. That is an issue. We have to find a way to get off to a
better start."
Nene missed the Wizards' previous game and was listed as
questionable with a strained right triceps. He played 19:35, and was
effective.
NOTES: Bulls F/C Joakim Noah returned to action Monday against the
Wizards after missing nine games with a left shoulder sprain. He
didn't score and had nine rebounds. ... F Mike Dunleavy (back)
missed his 36th game for the Bulls. Dunleavy, who had preseason back
surgery, has yet to play this season. ... The Wizards played without
G/F Alan Anderson (left ankle surgery), G Bradley Beal (sore right
leg), F Kris Humphries (sore right knee) and C Marcin Gortat (sore
left knee). ... F Nene (strained right triceps) suited up for the
Wizards, but his minutes were limited. ... Washington C/F DeJuan
Blair (sore right knee) and F Drew Gooden (right calf strain) each
were questionable, but were active. ... Chicago G Derrick Rose
scored 23 points to pass Ben Gordon (7,372 points) for 10th in
all-time Bulls scoring. ... Chicago is starting a stretch of four
games in five days, so coach Fred Hoiberg said players such as Rose
and F/C Pau Gasol might rest a game.
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