D.J. Augustin recorded 25 points and seven assists, but the Bulls fell to the visiting Washington Wizards 101-99 in overtime on Tuesday.
Taj Gibson added 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Joakim Noah finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds for Chicago, which trails Washington 2-0 in their best of seven series.
Though its starting backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal struggled with their shots in Game 1, the duo combined for 17 of Washington’s first 26 points in Game 2. The Wizards enjoyed their largest lead of the game, 29-12, late in the opening quarter. But Augustin came in and scored eight straight points for Chicago, marking the start of a productive game for the Bulls reserve.
Augustin tallied 11 points in his first four minutes and had 14 at the half, including four of five from long range, yet Chicago trailed Washington 56-49 at intermission.
Chicago opened the second half with a 16-8 run and took its first lead of the game, 65-64, on Mike Dunleavy’s 21-footer with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
In the fourth, however, the Bulls suffered an offensive drought at the worst time. Washington outscored Chicago 21-16 in the final frame and had an opportunity to win in regulation, but Bradley Beal’s baseline jumper came up short.
Nene, who finished with 17 points, scored the first six points in overtime and though the Bulls got within two in the final seconds, Kirk Hinrich missed the first of two free throws with 2.4 seconds left and the Bulls were unable to recover his intentional miss on the second attempt.
Beal scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Wizards.
The series now shifts to Washington for Games 3 and 4, which will be played Friday and Sunday.