Dialing Long Distance

Mike Dunleavy has reached the point in his NBA career where he knows he'll never receive the accolades as a pro like he did as a star at Duke.  Right now, his goal is to be a key contributor on a winning team, something he hasn't be able to boast in over a decade of NBA basketball until now.  Regardless of what happens from here on out, at least he'll have Friday's 100-97 Game 3 win over the Wizards to look back on.  Without him, the Bulls would be in a 3-0 hole, but instead, he's helped bring the deficit to a more manageable 2-1.

Dunleavy, playing in only his 12th NBA playoff game, scored 35 points, going 12 of 19 from the field and eight of 10 from three-point territory, the final of those numbers setting a Bulls playoff record.  He had scored just 20 points combined in the series' first two games and averaged 8.5 points in his playoff career previously.  It leads many to wonder what Tom Thibodeau was thinking in not having him out there to hold off the Wizards in Game 2.  We'll save that criticism for another day because this is an achievement to be celebrated.

Jimmy Butler will remember this game as one in which he overcame adversity and boiling tempers.  In the 4th quarter, he got into a close shouting match with Nene, arguably the best player for the Wizards in this series so far.  Nene then headbutted Butler and the two got a little physical before the altercation was broken up.  Double technicals were handed out, but Nene was ejected as the instigator.  As of this writing, the disciplinary action against him is not known.

It helped the Bulls immensely that Butler stayed in the game, particularly in the final minute.  With 24 seconds to go and the score tied, Butler was just 2 of 4 from behind the three-point line, so it seemed over fair that the Wizards dare him to knock one down in that area.  He did just that and the Bulls never trailed again.  His 7-of-8 shooting from the free throw line capped a 15-point performance.

Carlos Boozer scored 14 points before departing in the 4th quarter, although he did have to check in during the final seconds when Joakim Noah fouled out.  Off the bench, D.J. Augustin and Taj Gibson each had 13.  Augustin also dished out seven assists, but will want to forget a night in which he shot 4 of 15 from the field.

Considering no team has ever recovered from being down 3-0 in the NBA playoffs, Game 3 was a must-win by all definitions without it actually being one.  With the Wizards holding all momentum and the home crowd against them, the Bulls kept their cool.  Still, while it helped that Dunleavy had a big night, the Bulls have to recognize they can't count on career games in every contest of this series.  They still need to find more consistent offense and will have to do it once more in Washington if they want to move on.  At least they're on the board and consequently,  have been given new life.

Game 4 will be a matinee tomorrow in Washington.  Nene or no Nene, the Wizards will be doing everything in their power to keep that home-court advantage they stole in Game 1.  The Bulls need to be ready for that with their trademark defense and hopefully, a more balanced offense.  Every game in our nation's capital is a must-win until another victory there comes.  The question is do the Bulls have the manpower to pull it off?