The Orlando Magic, sitting in the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, were one of the tougher challenges heading down the stretch of this incredible regular season that the Bulls have been having this year. But as Coach of the Year contender, Tom Thibodeau, said in a recent interview, even tough challenges are surmountable with the NBA MVP leader on your team.
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| Rose was clutch down the stretch and carried the Bulls to the win in Orlando. |
Rose's effort and will carried the Bulls and indicated that he was not going to let this game get away. He had 28 points in the first three quarters.
In the 4th quarter, he kicked it up to the next gear, scoring at will to keep the Bulls close. With just under 3 minutes left and the Bulls trailing 91 - 94, he wanted the ball in his hands, and he was in full attack mode. He drove to the basket and drew the foul. He stepped to the line and calmly knocked down both free throws.
After a Deng turnover on the next possession, Jason Richardson returned the favor and Taj Gibson came up with the ball; his throw ahead to a sprinting Derrick Rose for a fastbreak dunk allowed the Bulls to retake the lead. The Magic continued to fight, but these Bulls have a confidence and drive that comes from the will to win of their MVP and leader.
In the end, the Bulls knocked down their clutch free throws and Rose finished the game with gaudy statline of 39 points, 5 assists, and 1 block.
Orlando deserves a lot of credit for coming out to play, despite being firmly entrenched in the 4th seed, if only to make the statement that they should not be counted out in the Eastern Conference contenders conversation.
Orlando put forth a great effort despite also not having Dwight Howard because of suspension, but it also served to underline the amount of talent that Howard plays with in comparison to Rose. The Bulls needed every one of the 39 points that Rose put up to be able to pull of the win against the Howard-less Magic, and it has very often been case this year for the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls.
With the victory, the Bulls have won 18 of their last 20 games, and they remain in the hunt for the best overall record and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
Also, Derrick Rose won the Hubie for Most Valuable Player, along with the respect of Hubie Brown, the ABC basketball announcer and former NBA head coach. Rose has Brown's vote for NBA MVP, and later this week, Derrick Rose should lock up the award for the NBA's Most Valuable Player because of his importance to the almost 20 game improvement in the Chicago Bulls win total since just last season.
Here are the highlights of CHICAGO BULLS at ORLANDO MAGIC:
