Bulls' Luck Running Out?

Not this time guys...with the Bulls last two wins coming in overtime, they fell to the Washington Wizards Monday night. Once again, it was a nail biter but they just couldn't hang in there. Final score: Bulls 84 - Wizards 87.

With the playoffs looming, there is still one giant question revolving around this team: Can they stay healthy? Derrick Rose and Luol Deng both missed Monday's game against the Wizards, both with injuries they sustained Sunday against the Pistons. Rose, aggrevated the ankle injury he's been struggling with the past two games, while Deng has some bruised ribs after taking a hit from Ben Gordon.

Even with their two best players out, it seemed likely that the Bulls could still get a win against one of the weakest teams in the NBA........at home. Ugh. Especially since they've been winning all season long with so many injuries to key players. But it was a hard fought battle all the way down the stretch, with turnovers and fouls hurting the Bulls' cause. And one more key element serve to help Washington in their victory.....they made their free throws. Not all of them, but the crucial ones.

It just seemed like the Bulls lacked the drive they've been playing with all year. Maybe they were upset because yet again they were without their all stars. Or Maybe they thought they had this one in the bag before they even set foot on the court (I know I thought that). Either way, the Bulls have really been lacking energy and enthusiam the last couple of games. But this time, Rose or Deng weren't there to lead them out of it.

This was a sloppy game from tip-off, the Bulls had 17 turnovers and 7 of those came in the first quarter alone. The Wizards turned it over 12 times, but they are younger and more athletic, therefore they are able to get back fast enough to defend the fast break. And vice versa, the Bulls just couldnt keep up with John Wall and company on the fast break. Also they were outscoured in the paint 48-22, very unlike this team.

The Bulls will get as shot at redemption on Wednesday when they face the Bobcats. Before the last few nights, I would have bet my last 10 bucks on a Bulls blowout. Now? Not so sure. The Bulls' lead on Miami for 1st place in the conference has been reduce to 2.5 games. And the two teams just so happen to be meeting on Thursday.