DRose and the Bulls Are Clutch Once Again In Another Close Win Over Pacers In Game 2

CHICAGO, IL. There is some uneasiness in the city of Chicago. The top seeded Bulls have held their home court and have a 2-0 edge in the series going to Indianapolis, but it is the way the team has looked in getting the two game series lead that has fans worried.

When the Bulls grabbed the best record in the NBA on the final day of the season, there seemed to be a promise made to the fans of Chicago Bulls basketball that this team was not satisfied with just a berth in the playoffs. They were looking ahead, to the NBA Finals.

Tonight, after the 3 quarters and a 3/4 court shot made by the Pacers, the game was tied at 67 - 67. It was another frustratingly close game against an inferior opponent that the Bulls had barely beat two nights ago after trailing by double digits with under 3 minutes left in the game.

If it had not been for DRose to the rescue, the Bulls might have lost their first first round home game as the number one seed in franchise history. With another close game at home, it was of course, DRose to the rescue again.

DRose has gotten good at his Superman impression; tonight, he saved the Bulls with his 36 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.

The Bulls and Pacers traded baskets until halfway through the 4th quarter when Derrick Rose, with the ball in his hands, crossed over on Danny Granger, drove to the basket, and finished with a teardrop over both the 6'8" Granger and the 7'2" Roy Hibbert and was fouled. Rose hit the free throw to give the Bulls a 79 - 78 lead.

The Bulls defense was able to string together consecutive stops, and the Bulls scored with greater efficiency on the other end lead by who put in 9 of 11 Bulls points during a stretch when the Bulls built a narrow 4 point lead.

The scrappy Pacers would not go away easily. They kept the game tight, and went back to a defensive scheme that had forced a turnover earlier in the game, a quick trap of Derrick Rose after he crossed half court. Rose was able to center the ball to Joakim Noah, who then found Kyle Korver in the corner for a wide open 3-point shot which essentially sealed the win for Chicago.

Tyler Hansbrough and the Pacers' scrappy play have been a match for the Bulls own passion and energy in the series so far.

It was an uncharacteristically sloppy game for the Bulls, who racked up 21 turnovers for the game and missed several shots at point blank range. There is concern that the Bulls who went through much of the regular season below the radar are now succumbing to the pressure of being the top seed. With the leadership of Coach Tom Thibodeau and Derrick Rose, this is highly unlikely.

Unfortunately, the truth is that the Indiana Pacers pose a troublesome matchup for the Bulls in a number of ways, and the first two games proved this. They are scrappy and play with a lot of passion. They have big bodies to clog the lane. They are also able to extend the Bulls defense with three point shooters.

However, when it comes down to it, the Bulls have the best player on the floor (and the NBA MVP leader) in Derrick Rose, and the plays he has made in "Jordan-time" have been the difference in the Bulls' two home victories.

Here are highlights of the INDIANA PACERS vs. CHICAGO BULLS, 2011 NBA PLAYOFFS, FIRST ROUND, GAME 2:


Expect that the Bulls will be more in sync and more focused on the road in Games 2 and 3. These games will be the better test of what the Bulls will be capable of in this playoff run.