WASHINGTON -- Even with the teams "X-factor" suspended, the Washington Wizards had a No. 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." Fake Jerseys 2019 .James scored 29 points, including 16 in the first quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers broke a four-game losing streak with a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Fake Jerseys Online .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. https://www.fakejersey.com/. The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Fake Jerseys Website . 1 overall pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, is recovering from sports hernia surgery. Fake Jerseys Free Shipping .com) - Thursday marks the official debut of a new dirt racing surface at Meydan Racecourse.On April 6, 1996, MLS was born. A crowd of 31,683 saw San Jose Clash beat DC United 1-0 thanks to Eric Wynaldas 88th-minute goal, and much has changed two decades on. One man in the sell-out Spartan Stadium crowd that day was Chris Wondolowski, current San Jose Earthquakes captain, all-time top scorer and USA international. The occasion made a clear impression on the 13-year-old, who is now fifth in the all-time MLS scorers list with 112 goals, 32 behind leader Landon Donovan. He played in the 20th anniversary match on Saturday evening, a 1-1 draw against DC United at the Earthquakes new Avaya Stadium courtesy of another 88th-minute San Jose goal, in front of their 18th straight sell-out crowd. Wondolowski also has 31 caps for the USA national team The Earthquakes epitomise the rise of MLS in recent years. Their 29 per cent rise in attendances from 2014 to 2015, helped by their own exclusive stadium, aided the leagues overall 12.5 per cent rise, the largest in its history.The total MLS gate has more than doubled to 7.3m since David Beckham first arrived at LA Galaxy in 2007, and on the pitch, the product has matched the growth.The teams are more international than ever, the players arrive from overseas younger, youth academies are developing and the competitiveness remains. Wondolowski, now 33, has seen it all since making his debut in 2005.The league just keeps growing exponentially, its amazing to see the growth and development of each team and each player, Wondolowski told Sky Sports. The teams are so deep, the product out there just continues to grow. San Jose Clashs Eric Wynalda celebrates scoring the first MLS goal back in 1996 The league reaches so far globally now, with Sky Sports as well, its all over the world. Its a huge thing, and the players were bringing in too match that.Passionate and organised supporters groups have added colour to what was previously a seen as merely a spectator sport in the US, and the league sits ninth in average attendance figures across world league football, ahead of Eredivisie, the Championship and both the Argentine and Brazilian top flights.Back in 1996, it was the noise and camaraderie that struck a chord with Wondolowski.It was fun to watch it, it was just loud, he recalls. I remember being excited for professional soccer in the area, and there was still the buzz of the 1994 World Cup.Playing soccer is what we strived for. I remember going to Grizzlies (indoor soccer) games before that, and I thought it was a cool thing to have professional soccer. The 33-year-old attended the first MLS game, and has 114 goals in the competition It was crazy, hectic. We got there early for tailgate, and there was just people everywhere. I think its crazy to see where it has gone. It has continued to take these strides. Its amazing.Its great to have a stadium to call our own, for the fans, the team and the community. It gives us a sense of identity, and I love playing there. The fans drive us through the 90 minutes, its great to see.Two years after the World Cup in 1994, US soccer fans had an appetite for a major professional league, cue the birth of MLS.Jump forward to nnow, and promising national team performances both in the womens and mens game means the hunger for soccer is arguably at an all-time high, and this summers US-hosted Copa America tournament gives the game another chance to reinforce its ever-growing status in American sport.dddddddddddd Jurgen Klinsmanns USA side are in transition after the 2014 World Cup Jurgen Klinsmanns national side have been in and out of form since exiting the World Cup at the last-16 stage in 2014, but Wondolowski is excited for the summer festival of football, and says the concern surrounding the US side is solely from outside the camp.The Copa America is a great tool to have to show the fans some great soccer, not only from the US team but to have the South American players, their teams and some of the best players in the world, to see them up close. We dont always get that opportunity here.Hopefully people can take advantage of it because its a special thing that doesnt happen often.Any time you are with the national team you have to play at a high level, even the training is very demanding. I always try to play to the best of my ability because you want to be out there. You take every practice and every shot seriously. USA have been in and out of form since the World Cup in 2014 Its always a transition period (in national team football), and in any cycle there are always ups and downs, its how you deal with it.Klinsmanns transition period since Brazil has been rocky; wins against Germany, Mexico and the Netherlands have been levelled out by defeats against Jamaica, Panama and Guatemala.They are close to qualifying for Russia 2018, but the next challenge will be to get through a less than desirable Copa America group against Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay.Theres always going to be panic moments, but I dont think the team is panicking, and I know for sure the coach isnt, and to a player everyone believes in the system and believes in each other. Attendances are up in MLS, helped by the passionate and organised supporters groups Its kind of funny to see everybody around it very nervous and very critical. But its part of it, and its how you rebound from it that makes the team.For Wondolowski personally, Donovans record is not yet in his sights. Three goals in four appearances this season edges him closer, and shows the 33-year-olds touch in front of goal remains.Right now I cant reach it, I cant reach it in a game, I probably cant reach it in a year, so right now its not even a thought.I enjoy coming out here every day, I really do, I look forward to coming to training and I enjoy the game. Its what drives me.It also helps to have great team-mates around me who have helped me along the way, again, thats the joy of it, and it keeps me going.Watch live MLS this weekend on Sky Sports, including New York Red Bulls v Sporting Kansas City, NYCFC v Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers. Also See: 10 MLS questions for Lloyd Sam Ronaldinho set for MLS or China MLS round-up Live MLS on Sky ' ' '