How the Washington Wizards Can Wreck the Chicago Bulls' Playoff Hopes

The last game of the NBA regular season holds important implications for the Chicago Bulls. 

With Monday night’s victory over the Orlando Magic, Chicago is only a half game back from Atlanta for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

That fifth seed is especially important for the Bulls. Thus, their season finale against the Washington Wizards is especially important.

Obviously, every team wants the highest seed possible. But the Bulls need to secure the fifth seed to avoid a matchup with Indiana.

In four regular-season games, the Bulls dropped three against the Pacers. Against the Nets, the Bulls won three out of four.

In the only game Chicago lost to Brooklyn, it didn’t have Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah or Kirk Hinrich (according to NBA.com). So really, when the Bulls are healthy, they can beat the Nets almost every time.

The Pacers are another story.

The Bulls and Pacers dislike each other, and their games are almost always heated. They had a chippy playoff series in the 2010-11 season.

The Bulls won in five games that year, but it might be a different story if they meet this year.

The Pacers are the best rebounding team in the NBA; they average the most rebounds per game in the league. They feature 7’2” center Roy Hibbert and talented forwards David West and Paul George. Each player averages more than seven rebounds per game.

Chicago struggled with the Pacers' size this year.

In Chicago’s only win against Indiana, the Bulls out-rebounded the Pacers. In their closest loss, they had the same number of boards. In their other two losses, they had 20 fewer rebounds total.

Handling Indiana’s size is vital for Chicago, and it hasn't done it consistently.

Brooklyn’s problem with Chicago is that it doesn't have the depth to match up with the Bulls.

In three Nets' losses against the Bulls, only one player besides Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson scored in double digits. When the Nets beat the injury-ravaged Bulls on Feb. 1 (NBA.com box score), MarShon Brooks and Andray Blatch contributed double-digit points (besides the other three).

In every game against the Nets, the Bulls had four or five players in double figures.

The Bulls’ complete lineup will beat the Nets almost every time while the Pacers have a slight edge inside against Chicago.

So, there’s a clear incentive for Chicago to earn the No. 5 seed. Now back to the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards have one of the worst records in the NBA, yet they’ve managed to defeat the Bulls twice in 2013.

Their secret?

Dribble penetration—both finishes at the basket and kick-outs to shooters did the Bulls in. Playing in Washington helped the Wizards, too.

Fortunately for the Bulls, the regular-season finale will be played at the United Center. That should give them a boost.

The Bulls’ hopes are contingent on the Hawks losing at least one game (the Bulls do own the head-to-head tiebreaker), but they must take care of business against Washington.

If the Wizards manage to drive their way to victory, the Bulls will be in serious trouble. It’s imperative for Chicago to contain John Wall and emerge victorious.

If the Bulls don’t win on Wednesday, and the Hawks win at least one of their remaining games, don't expect Chicago to move past the first round of the playoffs.

*All statistics provided by NBA.com.