WASHINGTON -- Even with the teams "X-factor" suspended, the Washington Wizards had a No. Ronde Barber Jersey . 42 sitting next to the bench. The 57-year-old with greying hair couldnt box out or grab a rebound, but owner Ted Leonsis waved his red towel and egged on a cheering crowd that chanted "Free Nene!" The Wizards did just fine without the suspended Brazilian forward. They scored the first 14 points and beat the Chicago Bulls 98-89 on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference series. "I thought it was pretty hilarious that Ted had Nenes jersey on," Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. "It kind of threw me off for a minute, but then I looked and seen it was Ted." Nene or not, the Wizards did what theyve done all series: Take a quick lead and force the Bulls to use up energy trying to catch up. It was 15-8 in Game 3, 29-12 in Game 2, 19-13 in Game 1. Washington, seeking to win a playoff series for only the third time since the 1970s, can finish off the Bulls on the road in Game 5 on Tuesday night. "We keep seeing this same kind of start for the last couple of games, and its frustrating," said Taj Gibson, who came off the bench to lead the Bulls with a career-high 32 points. "It seems like at times we get overhyped with just thinking were going to be OK, were just that good. But in this league its not about how talented you are, its about how hard you work and how much effort you put when you start the game off, and I dont think we did that." Nene was suspended for the game after grabbing Jimmy Butlers head in the fourth quarter of the Wizards Game 3 loss. Wall called Nene the "X-factor" this week, and for good reason: Since the March 2012 trade that brought Nene to D.C., Washington is 65-63 when he plays and 21-41 when he doesnt. That said, the club did hold its own by winning 12 of 21 when Nene went down with a knee injury late in the regular season, an absence coach Randy Wittman said might have been a "blessing in disguise" that helped prepare them for Sunday. "I saw our guys bond together," Wittman said. "Like, Thats OK, all right. Big fellows not going to be here, but thats OK. And we were in tune right from the start." Trevor Ariza, getting some of the early looks that might have gone to Nene, scored a career playoff-high 30 points, making 6 of 10 3-pointers. Beal had 18 points, and John Wall added 15 points and 10 assists for the Wizards, who forced 16 turnovers and committed only six. "I think were a smart enough group to understand that when one of your pieces goes down, you have to find ways and will to win," Ariza said. "Tonight was my night to take on the scoring load." Gibson went 13 for 16 from the field for Chicago, but his teammates combined to go 22 for 62. He made more field goals in the first half (8) than the rest of the Bulls combined (7). Mike Dunleavy, who scored 35 points in Game 3, scored only six. Dunleavy jammed his left thumb attempting to take a charge in the fourth quarter. The thumb was swollen and was X-rayed after the game, but he said he didnt think it was broken. "It probably doesnt really matter," he said. "Its my left hand and its not going to make a difference for me." Chicagos Kirk Hinrich committed four turnovers, and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah had a quiet 10 points and 15 rebounds against the Nene-less frontcourt. Washington stormed to a 14-0 lead, with Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau calling a timeout after each Wizards "touchdown." "Very disappointing to get in a hole like that," Thibodeau said. "I put that on me, and Ive got to get it right. ... Its got to change or our season will be over." Trevor Booker started in Nenes spot and had nine rebounds and three blocks. Beal called Booker "a huge X-factor" -- apparently the Wizards are cornering the market on that particular commodity. "Just because they didnt have Nene," Gibson said, "they just came out and played even harder." Notes: Arizas six 3-pointers tied a Wizards playoff record. ... Wittman, who played during the Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys" era, was asked to compare todays game to those rough-and-tumble days. "Not even close," Wittman said. "Its like sixth-grade flag football compared to NFL tackle football." Adarius Glanton Jersey . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. Joe Hawley Jersey . - After three days of light, make that very light, workouts, Team Irvin and Team Carter are ready for tonights Pro Bowl. http://www.authenticbuccaneersstoreonline.com/Black-99-Warren-Sapp-Womens-Jersey/ . The Force had two men, including former Wallabies No. 8 Ben McCalman, in the sin-bin in the dying minutes of the match, but were able to resist a late Highlanders surge to post a four-try, bonus point win.SAO PAULO - After going through a scare and spending time in intensive care because of a urinary tract infection, Brazilian soccer great Pele left the hospital Tuesday after a two-week stay.Doctors said the 74-year-old Pele will continue his recovery process at home and will need to rest for about a week. He will also need to undergo physiotherapy to recover some of the muscle mass that he lost during the time he spent in the hospital.It was really a scare, Pele said in a news conference broadcast live on Brazilian television. What happened was a surprise to me. I was worried, of course, but I never had any fears about dying.The three-time World Cup champion said he is doing fine and joked that he will be ready to play for Brazil as one of the three over-23 players at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.Thanks to God everything is fine now. I have recovered, Pele said. Im already preparing for the Olympics.Pele spent several days in an intensive care unit while undergoing hemodialysis to help support his only kidney. Doctors said Pele, who had one kidney removed when he was still a player, had to be more closely monitored because of how his body reacted to the infection, but his life was never in danger.Doctors denied that Pele was transferred to an intensive care unit because of signs of a generalized infection. They said the extra care was needed because there was excessive inflammation in his body caused by the infection, which is not uncommon, but he always responded well to the antibiotic treatment.The infection stemmed from a Nov. 13 surgery to remove kidney stones which were diagnosed after Pele had to cancel an event at his museum in the coastal city of Santos becauuse of abdominal pain. Mike Evans Jersey. The surgery was deemed successful and he was released from the hospital just a few days after the procedure, but he had to be readmitted after a new medical evaluation showed signs of the infection.Peles condition was closely monitored in Brazil and the rest of the world since the hospital in Sao Paulo said last month that Pele became unstable and was transferred to an intensive care unit. The former players staff all along downplayed the seriousness of the illness, however, and Pele even used his Twitter account to say that he was doing well.Last week, Pele recorded a video message from his hospital room to thank his fans around the world for praying for him during his illness.I was moved with all the messages that I received from all over the world, he said Tuesday. I didnt know so many people were paying attention to my situation.Pele said he spent most of his time in the hospital watching local football and writing songs, including one that will remain a secret for the Olympics. Pele, who recorded a few songs many years ago, had a guitar with him in his hospital room.Pele said that although he wasnt overly concerned while in the hospital, the illness made him start reflecting a bit more about life.During a career of 30 years and while travelling all around the world, I had never gone through something like this before, he said.Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Pele is a national hero in Brazil and remains a worldwide ambassador to the game. He is also active with his many businesses and still participates in many advertising campaigns.___Follow Tales Azzoni on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tazzoni Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Authentic Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2019 Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '