In NBA Playoffs, Bulls' Carlos Boozer Continues To Struggle

Was Jeff Teague Trying To Injure Derrick Rose At End Of Game 2 Victory?

Bulls 86, Hawks 73: Deng And Noah Lead In Gritty Win To Even Series 1-1

Unless you had a rooting interest in the Chicago Bulls, it is unlikely you enjoyed tonight's 86-73 win over the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center. The defense was spectacular at times, but the offense on both ends was putrid. Lucky for the Bulls, theirs stunk less and their defense and rebounding ensured a relatively comfortable victory.

After being out-rebounded in Game 1, it's clear that Tom Thibodeau emphasized that phase of the game. The Bulls absolutely destroyed the Hawks on the glass 58-39, which does as much to illustrate the rebounding disparity as it does show how many shots went awry.

Derrick Rose, after receiving the Most Valuable Player award from commissioner David Stern during a pre-game ceremony, played as well as one could expect from an injured player who makes his hay attacking the rim. Rose was relegated to jumpshots for most of the game, finishing with 25 points on 27 shots, including 1-8 from downtown. Improved as he may be, there's no denying that Rose is a streaky shooter from the outside. His efficiency comes from going to the line ten times a game, something he is struggling to do as he avoids the paint. The good news is that he didn't seem to re-injure his ankle at any point during the game, and his teammates picked up enough of the slack to secure the win.

Joakim Noah played his best game of the playoffs, putting forth multiple efforts on possession after possession. He finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, including 7-8 from the free throw line and seven offensive rebounds. His energy was tireless and provided crucial second chances that the Bulls didn't have in Monday's Game 1.

Luol Deng, after fading late in games this postseason due to fatigue (43.1 MPG), saved up enough to get the Bulls over the hump in the fourth quarter. His two late hoops and four rebounds ended up being the crucial plays as the Hawks made one last run before fading away. Deng's 14 points were huge, but his 12 boards and stifling defense on Joe Johnson were the main difference. After scoring 34 points in Game 1, Johnson had only 16 points.

In a paragraph that must seem like I've copied and pasted it from recaps past, Carlos Boozer struggled once again. It's getting ugly for Boozer, as he is now being booed when he enters games and cheered when taken out. He finished with eight points and 11 boards, which Thibodeau made a point to praise after the game. Boozer is playing through pain right now with a turf toe injury, but Taj Gibson's stellar defense and similar rebounding numbers have many fans calling for Boozer's demotion. Ultimately, Chicago will need both players to advance in the Playoffs, so struggle as he may, Boozer needs to be out on the court trying to re-establish his rhythm.

Thank god for the Hawks, who have collectively never seen a contested jumper they didn't like. The only player who consistently attacked the Bulls' defense was emergency starter Jeff Teague, who more than held his own by leading the Hawks with 21 points. Marvin Williams, Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith combined to go 8-33 from the floor, and a few times the long rebounds sprung the Bulls for desperately-needed transition points. After the game Thibodeau mentioned wanting to increase the pace, and the reason is obvious. The Bulls are struggling to score consistently in the half-court and pushing the transition game should help Chicago's efficiency.

In all, it seemed like a game the Bulls wanted to win, but moreover a game the Hawks were content to lose. As such, Chicago will need to continue to make corrections, because this is still not a team clicking on all cylinders. Against tougher competition, or even against the Hawks on a better night, the Bulls could very well have lost again. With the layoff between games down to 48 hours, the Bulls need to hope Rose is as fast a healer as he is on the court. Without him attacking the basket and providing a consistent inside-out threat, the Bulls are really going to struggle on offense.

The series moves to Atlanta on Friday night at Phillips Arena, where the Bulls will try to regain homecourt advantage by taking at least one of the next two games.

Follow Zachary Lee on Twitter @rightfieldsucks

Haltime Update: Bulls 48, Hawks 37

After receiving the MVP trophy from commissioner David Stern during a pre-game ceremony, Derrick Rose reminded us how he earned the award this season. Rose scored 16 points along with five points and five assists and Joakim Noah added 12 points and eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.

Carlos Boozer had a solid stretch late in the second quarter scoring six quick points to go with six boards, but Taj Gibson was key as the Hawks didn’t score a single point in the paint during his 6:22 of floor time.

The Bulls struggled early on offense, but made up the difference on defense and a much better effort on the glass. Chicago held the Hawks to 32% shooting and have a 29-19 rebounding advantage. The Hawks have helped by revisiting their terrible habit of long two-pointers. Luckily for the Bulls, those shots aren’t falling so far tonight, allowing Chicago to build a double digit lead.

If the Bulls can sustain this defense and protect the glass, it’s going to be tough for Atlanta to claw their way back. That said, Chicago has played one complete game so far this postseason, and you can be sure Thibodeau is reminding his team of that right now in the locker room.

Chicago Bulls Need More From MVP Derrick Rose Against Atlanta Hawks In Game 2

2011 NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls Vs. Atlanta Hawks, Semifinals Game 2

Game 1 ended with a thud and a grimace, as the Bulls fell behind in a series for the first time this postseason, but not before Derrick Rose re-injured his left ankle with mere tenths of a second remaining in the game.

The injury added to the insult of Chicago's first truly flat game in a while might be enough to put fear into even the most confident Bulls supporter. Not to call Game 2 a must-win, but it is certainly as close as the Bulls have been to one this year. Losing two games at home to the visiting Atlanta Hawks would put Chicago's dream season in serious jeopardy.

Rose accepted the NBA Most Valuable Player award at the ripe age of 22 years old on Tuesday afternoon. The 3rd year guard thanked everyone but the United Center custodial staff, but saved the best for last when he thanked his mother. Rose choked up as he spoke to her in the audience, and the outright sincerity and goodness of the moment touched many of those watching it, even Chicago's hardened press corp.

As I rubbed my eyes (it was dusty in the room!), I realized a few things:

1. Rose said his ankle felt really good, contradicting horribly scary stories like this one on Peach Tree Hoops that says Rose might have a Grade 2 ankle sprain. He had full participation in Tuesday's practice and walked without a limp during the press conference, but the only way to really find out how he's feeling is when the tip goes up Wednesday evening.

2. Rose has a history of playing big in the biggest moments, and it's hard to imagine one bigger than this. Already carrying the weight of a city's expectations, Rose will lead his team into a game they must have while fighting a nagging injury. Oh by the way he'll re-receive the MVP trophy in front of the United Center crowd before the game. Having never been to the second round prior to this year, it is fair to say that this is the biggest game of Rose's young career. I reiterate, to this point Derrick Rose has always risen up when the lights are brightest.

3. As Rose humbly said over and over again that he wouldn't be where he is today without his teammates, I became convinced that the Bulls would rally around him and, as silly as it may sound, win one for the kid. Make no mistake, the focus is on the game, the matchups, the assignments and plays, but I'd bet my entire blogging salary that to a man every Bull wants to make Derrick Rose's MVP night a memorable one.

Standing in the way are the, frankly, bizarre Atlanta Hawks. A team that takes terrible, and terribly difficult shots, but has made enough of them this postseason to beat the favored Orlando Magic and steal home court advantage from the top-seeded Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls lost Game 1 because they spotted a ten-point lead to a team looking for confidence. Shooting 29% in the first quarter put the Bulls behind the eight ball, and the Hawks were good enough to fight off any attempt at a late comeback. By the time Chicago realized it was time for its patented Closing Run™, the Hawks pointed out that they were not the offensively-challenged Indiana Pacers, swish after swish... after swish. Joe Johnson was spectacular, consistently hitting late-game and late-shot clock jumpers while being defended closely. Jamal Crawford and Joe Smith tossed up their regular quota of coach-aging long two-pointers, but Crawford was hot that night, and he and Johnson kept the Bulls at arm's length until the clock ran out. The Hawks shot almost 52% on Monday, almost ten points higher than usual. While they will no-doubt be tough to put away in most close games, some of their shooting on Monday was a bit flukey and should regress to the mean. That said, the Magic are on vacation wondering when exactly when that regression is going to occur.

Rose, injury and all, will not go without a free throw for the second game straight at home. Overall in Game 1, the Bulls did not attack well on offense, settling for jumpers when forays into the paint were available. The lethargy showed in being a step slow to all the  loose balls and amazingly, losing the rebounding battle. The Bulls usually don't lose that statistic to anything less than the best rebounding teams, which the Hawks most certainly are not (25th in NBA). Expect that flukey statistic to get back to normal on Wednesday night as well.

Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah will need to get off to a hot start as they did against the Pacers in Game 5 of the opening round. Noah once again will draw the assignment of former college teammate Al Horford. As Horford has owned the matchup in the regular season and represents the Hawks most efficient player, Noah will need to contain him and provide the offensive rebounding that is such a big part of his game.  Deng, frankly, needs more rest or needs to pace himself, because he has run out of gas in the second half of almost every game this postseason. Unfortunately he always draws the other team's best offensive perimeter player, so he'll have his hands full all game.

The Atlanta Hawks have been impossible to predict most of this season, looking strong one minute and hapless the next. The Bulls have been steady all season, defending well nearly every night, and getting enough free throws and offensive rebounds to be efficient offensively.  That consistency, Thibodeau's adjustments to Larry Drew's tactics and a returned edge against a team that can lose its sense of urgency as quickly as it arrives, puts the Bulls in good position for a bounce back game.

Game 2 tips off at 7:00 CDT on TNT.