SB Nation Chicago - Bulls 108, Pacers 115: Rose's Brilliance Not Enough As Bulls Lose In OThttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2011-03-18T22:38:43-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18226252011-03-18T22:38:43-05:002011-03-18T22:38:43-05:00Bulls 108, Pacers 115: Rose's Brilliance Not Enough As Bulls Lose In OT
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<p>Derrick Rose tied a career high with 42 points, including three free throws with no time remaining in regulation, to pull the Bulls back from a 16 point second half deficit and force the game into overtime. Unfortunately for Chicago, Rose fouled out with 24 seconds remaining in OT, and as he scored 25 of the Bulls final 28 points, his team's fate was all but sealed.</p>
<p>The loss snaps the Bulls' eight-game win streak, their longest since 2005. Luol Deng had 21 points and 10 rebounds in an exhausting 48 minutes of court time. Glue guy that he is, it is important that coach Tom Thibodeau finds a way to give Deng a bit of rest before the playoffs begin. Taj Gibson played well in Boozer's absence with 8 points and 16 rebounds.</p>
<p>Tyler Hansbrough had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, and Danny Granger had 19 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out in overtime.</p>
<p>The Pacers did well defensively to limit Rose to two assists and Noah to three rebounds, holding both well below their season averages.</p>
<p>After allowing 62 first half points, the Bulls struggled to catch up with the Pacers until a furious rally that saw Chicago outscore the pacers 29-16 in the final stanza. Rose's clutch free throws with the clock reading triple zero were for naught on Friday night, but will serve the MVP candidate, and his team, well as the playoffs near.</p>
<p>The Bulls get a few days to put the loss in perspective before the Sacramento Kings come to Chicago on Monday night. After missing the last five games, chances are Carlos Boozer will return from the sprained ankle he suffered last Wednesday against the Bobcats.</p>
<p>Lucky for the Bulls, the Celtics also lost Friday night to the Houston Rockets. As such, Chicago retains its half-game lead atop the Eastern Conference standings.</p>
<p><strong>Game Notes</strong> </p>
<p>The Bulls were outrebounded 50-46, the first time they have lost that statistical battle in more than a month.</p>
<p>The Pacers bench outscored Chicago 29-25, in what was one of the key battles of the game.</p>
<p>Sacramento comes to the United Center Monday night at 7:00 CDT</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2011/3/18/2059453/bulls-108-pacers-115-roses-brilliance-not-enough-as-bulls-lose-in-otZachary Lee2011-03-18T15:13:33-05:002011-03-18T15:13:33-05:00Chicago Bulls Vs. Indiana Pacers: Can Bulls Handle The Hype?
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<p>Winners of eight straight games and alone atop the Eastern Conference standings, the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> are now facing the hype they've managed to avoid all year -- and it's starting to get quite loud. Adding to the cacophony today is Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski's piece on <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/4dg8v4x">the MVP partnership of Tom Thibodeau</a>and SI's Zach Lowe's <a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5vzpklk">take on the Bulls as legitimate title contenders.</a></p>
<p>For many reasons, Chicago has avoided the hype machine up to this point. Early injuries, Rose's humility and a cache of soap opera stories surrounding teams such as the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>, <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a> and <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> have allowed the Bulls to focus on coach <span>Tom Thibodeau</span>'s insular team concept. With the Bulls a win away from their first 50-win season since 1997-98, however, the brightening spotlight represents the team's latest, and perhaps greatest, challenge.</p>
<p>Indeed, when the Bulls tip off against the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indiana Pacers</a> at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight, expectations will be at an all-time high. The Pacers have undergone significant changes this season, as coach Jim O'Brien was fired after a late January loss to the Bulls. Interim coach <span>Frank Vogel</span> led the Pacers to early success, and though they have since come back to earth, Indiana could turn out to be the Bulls' first round playoff opponent.</p>
<p>As of this writing, <span>Carlos Boozer</span>'s status is still up in the air. But no matter whether the Booz is in or not, Chicago will have its hands full against a team with a deep rotation and much-improved play of late.</p>
<p><b>Pacers To Watch For</b></p>
<p>Forward <span>Tyler Hansbrough</span> is averaging 25.2 points over his last five games, playing the best basketball of his young career. Rookie <span>Paul George</span> looks to have claimed the starting shooting guard spot and has rewarded Vogel's decision with a precocious stretch of play. <span>Danny Granger</span> remains the Pacers most dangerous option, averaging 22 points over his last three games. The Granger-<span>Luol Deng</span> match-up will be one of the keys to the game.</p>
<p><b>Bulls To Watch For</b></p>
<p><span>Derrick Rose</span> has played extremely well against the Pacers this season, averaging 22 points, 6.3 rebounds and 8 assists. Boozer shredded the Indiana front line this year and, if he cannot go for the fifth straight contest, the Bulls will definitely miss his scoring in the paint. Luol Deng will no doubt be plenty busy on the defensive end against Granger, but Chicago will need his scoring as well if Boozer sits.</p>
<p>As Indiana employs a 10-man rotation, the Bulls excellent second unit will face a substantial challenge. It won't garner many headlines, but whichever team wins the battle of the benches could very well win this game.</p>
<p>The Bulls go for the four-game season sweep against the Pacers tonight at 6:00 CDT. Comcast Sports Net has the call.</p>
<p><i>Follow Zachary Lee on Twitter @rightfieldsucks</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/2011/3/18/2331787/chicago-bulls-vs-indiana-pacers-can-bulls-handle-the-hypeZachary Lee