Given the way the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls were playing coming into Tuesday night's game, a Bulls blowout would have been a safe prediction. Early on, that appeared to be how things would go down, with the Bulls taking a 12-point first-quarter lead. But that was before Jordan Crawford got hot.
Crawford exploded for 21 first-half points, and the Wizards rallied in the second quarter to cut the Bulls' lead to 50-46 at halftime. The Wizards cut the lead to one as the half closed, but Kurt Thomas hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to provide the four-point margin.
Crawford has hit eight of his 13 field goals, and also added three assists. He's getting help from JaVale McGee, who responded to Flip Saunders' harsh comments yesterday with an inspired effort. McGee has seven blocked shots already and is making life tough on the Bulls' big men.
Derrick Rose has 14 points to lead the Bulls, while Ronnie Brewer added nine off the bench.