NBA Playoffs 2005: Bulls vs. Wizards | First Round
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2005 NBA Playoffs – The visiting Bulls led by 10 points on two occasions in the third quarter, but were unable to turn away the Wizards in Friday's 94-91 Game 6 defeat. The loss ends a memorable comback season for Chicago, which was defeated in the best-of-seven series, 4-2.
Kirk Hinrich (21.2 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.0 spg in the Playoffs) and Andres Nocioni (12.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg in the Playoffs) each scored 22 points for the Bulls in the finale. Ben Gordon, the NBA's Sixth Man Award winner, averaged 14.5 ppg over the six games. Chicago played without Eddy Curry (irregular heart beat) and Luol Deng (right wrist ligament tear) for the series.
The Bulls, who clinched the fourth seed and first round homecourt advantage with a win over the New York Knicks on April 19, made their first postseason appearance since 1998. Chicago posted an outstanding 38-17 record since Jan. 1, 2005–the second-most wins by a club since the New Year. The Bulls also sported the fifth-best home record during that span, 21-6.
Game 1: Bulls 103, Wizards 94 (Chicago leads the series, 1-0)
In a back-and-forth battle, Chicago outscored Washington 26-12 in the final period to take control of their opening-round playoff series with a 103-94 Game 1 win Sunday. Ben Gordon scored a game-high 30 points and Andres Nocioni, who added 25 and grabbed 18 boards, provided the Bulls with a huge lift when he drilled a 3-pointer with 2:26 to go. The shot put Chicago up by five, and sealed the Wizards’ fate.
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Postgame ConferenceGame 2: Bulls 113, Wizards 103 (Chicago leads the series, 2-0)
Chicago trailed by 10 points after the first quarter, but exploded for 38 in the second to erase the deficit and take control of Game 2 in Wednesday’s 113-103 win over the visiting Wizards. Kirk Hinrich matched his career-high with 34 points on 12-of-15 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc. The win gives the Bulls a two-game lead in their first-round playoff series.
| Postgame ConferenceGame 3: Wizards 117, Bulls 99 (Chicago leads the series, 2-1)
The visiting Bulls trailed by only two points after two quarters, but they could not overcome the Wizards during the second half of Saturday’s 117-99 loss in Game 3 of their opening-round series. Tyson Chandler paced six Bulls in double figures with 15 points before fouling out with seven minutes to play. Kirk Hinrich, who scored 21 of his career-high 34 in the fourth quarter of Game 2, scored just four of his 13 points after intermission.
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Postgame Conference
Game 4: Wizards 106, Bulls 99 (Series tied, 2-2)
A late comeback fell short for the Bulls in Monday's 106-99 loss in Game 4 in Washington. The series is now knotted at 2-2. The Wizards opened the game with a 15-2 run and led 61-37 at the half. The Bulls closed within single digits in the game's final minute but the early deficit was too much to overcome. Kirk Hinrich and Jannero Pargo led Chicago with 18 points apiece. Tyson Chandler scored 13 and grabbed 13 rebounds.
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Postgame Conference
Game 5: Wizards 112, Bulls 110 (Washington leads the series, 3-2)
Jannero Pargo’s 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining knotted Game 5, but the Bulls fell to the visiting Wizards at the buzzer 112-110 on Wednesday. Chicago trails its opening-round series 3-2. Pargo’s shot capped a 12-2 rally in the final 39.1 seconds. The Bulls trailed by as many as 22 points in the third quarter before getting hot. Ben Gordon led the way with 27 points. Kirk Hinrich netted 23 and Tyson Chandler added 22. Game 6 in Washington is Friday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN and CSN.
Game 6: Wizards 94, Bulls 91 (Washington wins the series, 4-2)
The visiting Bulls led by 10 points on two occasions in the third quarter, but were unable to turn away the Wizards in Friday night's 94-91 Game 6 defeat. The loss ends a memorable comback season for Chicago. Tyson Chandler’s hook shot with 2:54 remaining had given the Bulls a 91-87 lead, but Chicago surrendered the game's final seven points, including a game-deciding two on an errant inbounds pass. Andres Nocioni and Kirk Hinrich each scored 22 points. Chandler had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
