Washington Wizards News

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal , center, drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, left, and forward Carlos Boozer during the first half in Game 1 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series in Chicago, Sunday.

At first blush, Sunday's Game 1 between the No. 4 seed Chicago Bulls and No. 5 seed Washington Wizards looks a great deal more unbalanced than the usual 4-5 matchup.

As the Chicago Bulls prepare to open their playoff series against the Washington Wizards in Chicago this evening, Joakim Noah has a chance to not only prove that he is the best center in the NBA but also to lift the spirits of the dejected Chicago sports fans across the city.

Lakers owner and head of basketball operations Jim Buss says he told his family business during a January business meeting that he will step down if the Lakers do not return to contention within "three or fours years."

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall is a 23-year-old blossoming superstar. These playoffs are his first opportunity to show a national audience just how great he can be in games that matter.

The NBA playoffs come with lots of intrigue on their own. For two and a half months we are treated to the league's best playing on the biggest stage.

Jan 13, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer and Washington Wizards power forward Nene Hilario attempt to get a loose ball during the first half at United Center.

The Los Angeles Clippers subjected Stephen Curry to traps in order to defend the pick-and-roll offense, with two defenders often hounding the Warriors' leading scorer.

Never mind all they overcame. The only obstacle that matters now for the Chicago Bulls is the one in front of them.

The Bobcats will certainly face the long odds those three teams faced and overcame in their historic playoff runs when they begin a best-of-seven Eastern Conference first round series at two-time defending champion Miami Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Additionally, Charlotte will be seeking to at least end its own dubious playoff history at some point in this ... (more)

With the 2014 NBA playoffs set to begin on Saturday, the time for speculation is almost over.

With their 118-102 victory over the Boston Celtics in the season finale, the Wizards matched the Brooklyn Nets at 44-38 and moved into the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of winning the tiebreaker because of sweeping the regular season series, 3-0.

Every week, USA TODAY Sports asks its NBA experts around the country and Internet three questions about a hot topic in the league.

With seven-games series and a wide divide between the best teams and the rest of the league, the NBA playoffs usually do not feature too many upsets.

The last time the Wizards were in the playoffs, there was no problem figuring out who to hate.

Thibodeau won Coach of the Year his first season with the Bulls, led them to a better record the following year and then guiding them back to the playoffs both years since without their top player .

Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash is congratulated by teammates Jodie Meeks , Nick Young and Jordan Farmar after passing Mark Jackson to move into third on the all-time NBA assist list in the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

Mar 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan reacts after scoring during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

Nearly 10 years ago during the 2004-05 NBA season, the fourth seed Chicago Bulls took on the fifth seed Washington Wizards .

Everybody except Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak is facing the possibility of relocation after the Lakers finished 27-55, the most losses in club history and the franchise's worst winning percentage since the Minneapolis Lakers' 72-game season in 1957-58.