Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Bulls blow Wizards away, 113-94

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 1: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls grabs the rebound against the Washington Wizards on April 1, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 1: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls grabs the rebound against the Washington Wizards on April 1, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 1: Cristiano Felicio #6 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards on April 1, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 1: Cristiano Felicio #6 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards on April 1, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Wizards have to set the pace

I’m going to write this again, the Wizards have to set the pace. Chicago came out running and gunning, shooting threes like they were at the OK Corral. Washington didn’t do anything to control the pace when the ball was in their possession.

They tried to keep up with Chicago’s fast pace. I thought coming into the second-half that Washington would just slow it down. Walk the ball down the court. Or anyone from Washington “tell” Chicago, “you controlled the pace for the first half, now you’re going to play at our pace”.

That didn’t happen, Washington continued to chase the Bulls around, who roamed free all over the court.

Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris were too slow behind Markkanen and Portis.

Keef only had 8 points and 5 rebounds. Maybe if he’s still sick he should have sat out today’s game, to be ready for the next.

Allowing a sub-.500 team (or any team) to control the pace is a bad habit, one I thought the Wizards had let go of.

There was no sense of urgency. The Bulls had nothing to lose, where Washington has everything.

Gortat had 10 points and 7 rebounds.

While Otto Porter had 17 points, including three from downtown. Porter was the only Wizards’ starter who came out with energy.

I’m going to write something that will be unpopular, but the Wizards are running out of time. When Wall is not starting, then Porter should push the ball up the floor sometimes. The Celtics play positionless basketball as well as other teams. Satoransky is doing an excellent job, but he doesn’t always know when to slow down the pace.

Markkanen finished with 23 points, five made 3-pointers and six rebounds.

Portis off the bench had 18 points in 16 minutes, including four 3-pointers. Jerian Grant also off the bench was a problem with 11 points.

There was a silver lining, listening to Drew Gooden’s one-liners were an absolutely treat.

On Tuesday, the Wizards travel to Houston to take on the Rockets.