NBA: Bulls Continue Hot Streak

The Chicago Bulls win their fifth game in a row after thrashing the Washington Wizards 96-78 at Verizon Center.

D.J. Augustin scored 25 pointst as the Chicago Bulls turned a possible first-round playoff preview into a rout, never trailing in a 96-78 win over the Washington Wizards.

Augustin made six of 11 three-pointers and Carlos Boozer added 16 points for the Bulls, who have now won five in a row.

The Bulls clamped down on the Wizards early, taking advantage of turnovers and a rebounding advantage to build the lead.

Trailing by 12 at the end of the period, the Wizards were then completely undone by a 10-point second quarter.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Augustin made the score 36-18, and a free throw by Jimmy Butler in the final minute of the first half gave the Bulls a 28-point lead.

John Wall's 30-foot bounce pass to Trevor Booker on a fast break led to a dunk pulled Washington within 11 and brought the crowd to its feet.

But Joakim Noah took over and quickly squashed the rally as his three-point play started a 12-0 run early in the fourth quarter that put the game away.

John Wall scored 20 points, and Marcin Gortat had 19 for the Wizards, who sit in sixth place in the East.