Upset of the Ages: 5 Ways Indiana Pacers Could Beat Chicago Bulls in Playoffs

Currently, it's looking a lot like the Indiana Pacers will finish the season in the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot, while the Chicago Bulls are on the verge of holding the East's No. 1 seed.

So...what will the Pacers need to achieve in order to come out on top of a seven-game series against Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls?

Well, there's quite a bit that they'll need to do. Danny Granger's Pacers will have to perform so many things, many of which are nearly impossible. In a way, this slideshow will not only show what Indiana needs to do to beat the Bulls, but also why it will not happen.

Enjoy!

Darren Collison Doesn't Need To "Adjust to Postseason Play"

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or u

Darren Collison is just a sophomore in the NBA, which often means that he'll need time to adjust in the NBA playoffs.

This season his 13 points, five assists and one steal aren't that impressive on paper, but the UCLA alum has been an important part of the Pacers team, holding them together like glue.

If they undergo a seven-game series with the Bulls and Collison looks like a college player who still needs to adjust, there is absolutely no way that the Pacers will prevail, as they'll have no defined point guard figurehead bringing the ball up.

We See "Version A" Indiana Pacers During the Series

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Tyler Hansbrough #50 of the Indiana Pacers hangs on the rim after he dunked the ball so he doesn't land on Mike Dunleavy #17 during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, Cal

Half the time we see a Pacers team where Collison is dishing like a master, Granger plays like a superstar, Dunleavy is dead on, Tyler Hansbrough shows why he made such a name for himself in college...you get the point.

There are nights when Indy looks like it deserves to be in the playoffs, and nights where it just looks like garbage.

Come prime time, when Chicago is in the building, just one of these nights will most definitely result in a loss. That puts them at a tremendous disadvantage because even when "version A" comes out to play, it's still the Chicago bulls.

Don't Let Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah Control the Low Post

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Derrick Rose #1 (R) and Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls leap to block a shot by Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics at United Center on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah average 30 points and 20 rebounds per game. With numbers like that, the Pacers have no chance of winning this series unless Noah and Boozer are controlled.

So how could they do that?

Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Hibbert need to become Indy X-factors. They must play with physical aggression and pull down as many rebounds as possible and score as many points as they can during this series, because if they don't, it's certain that Joakim and Carlos will.

Don't Discredit Luol Deng

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Loul Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket past Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics at United Center on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 97-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

Luol Deng shadily averaged 17.5 points, six rebounds and three assists during this regular season. With players such as Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver, it can be easy to overlook Deng.

But if the Pacers do this in the playoffs, it can potentially be fatal to their chances at advancing to the second round.

Luol can dunk, handle and shoot with range, so if the Bulls manage to stop Derrick Rose and the Chicago big men, don't think the job is done. Luol Deng will happily take the game over and drop 30-plus points against an appalled Pacers defense.

Stop the Unstoppable Derrick Rose

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot past Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics at United Center on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 97-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

Do not let Derrick Rose have control of the basketball within the three-point line. If he does, we all know what happens next. Pick the best defenders in the league and Rose will crisscross and weave to the basket, jump up in the air and windmill the ball around the best shot-blocker's hands until it's safe to lay it in. You can't stop the acrobatic post moves or the ball's tendency to drop in the basket; the only thing you can stop is Derrick Rose at the perimeter.

Pressure him tightly by the three-point line and force a three-point shot or a pass to one of his teammates.

Prediction

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 16: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after he is called for a technical foul in the second half against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Indiana Pace

All of these things working for the Pacers is nearly impossible.

If you somehow manage to stop Derrick Rose with multiple defenders, how do you expect to contain the two-man wrecking crew of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah?

With all these things on the Pacers' mind, they're still probably not focusing enough on Luol Deng, who is ready, willing and able to take over one of these games.

Bulls Sweep the Pacers, 4-0

CHECK OUT http://bleacherreport.com/articles/659831-upset-of-the-ages-5-ways-the-grizzlies-could-beat-the-spurs-in-the-playoffs