2010 NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls Show Toughness Amid Losses

The Chicago Bulls have shown enough grit and determination to still make a series out of their first round match up with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although down 2-0 in the series, the Bulls showed a lot of toughness and heart in the first two games. Game two was played as well as they could have played and if not for LeBron James hitting almost all of his jump shots they probably would have won.

The defensive strategy in game two for the Bulls was to make James a jump shooter. They did that and he made them pay. James hit 16-23 shots, the majority coming on jump shots. Although James scored 40 points the Bulls must stick to their defensive game plan for the remainder of the series that they had for game two. James is not a consistent jump shooter when taking a high volume of jump shots. He is at his most dangerous when driving to the basket and kicking out for open three-pointers.

The Bulls received a boost in offense from Luol Deng and received a very strong effort from Joakim Noah, who finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulls were much more aggressive in game two. They attacked the basket a lot more than they did in game one and were able to get easy transition baskets with lay ups and put backs off misses.

The Cavs are a team who like to go for the block and that leaves the weakside and trailers open for easy put back dunks and lay ups. The Bulls were able to get out in transition and push the ball and when they would miss the lay up there would be the trailer there to clean it up. The Bulls did a tremendous job at getting offensive rebounds. Rebounding is what kept them close all game long. They finished with 13 offensive rebounds.

They also did a great job of not turning the ball over. They finished with just four turnovers, the lowest for a playoff game in franchise history. If they continue to dominate the offensive glass and keep the turnovers to a minimum they should have no problem winning game three and getting right back in this series. James will not continue to hit all those jump shots and when he misses the Bulls must grab the rebound and the ball into Derrick Rose's hands and he must push the ball in the open court.