2011 NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls Close out Pacers 116-89.
For the first time in the series the Chicago Bulls looked like the No. 1 overall seed, and dominated the Indiana Pacers for most of the game in closing out their first round series 116-89.
Danny Granger reiterated his assertion that the Bulls were essentially just Derrick Rose and some other guys, but this time the other guys let Danny Granger know who they were as a number of Bulls players stepped up and had big nights.
The following slides will highlight the key performers and how they helped Derrick Rose win his first postseason series and step back into being the team that looks like they could contend for a title.
Kyle Korver
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Kyle Korver did what Kyle Korver does: he scored. He was actually not as efficient as normal tonight though; he did score 13 points, but it took him 13 shots to do it.
While he was in though, he also played his best defense of the series, and on the night he was a plus seven.
Needless to say there was no need for fourth quarter heroics tonight.
Taj Gibson
2 of 7
Taj Gibson fouled out but was absolutely splendid as Carlos Boozer once again spent the part of the time he was on the court not earning his huge contract. Fortunately, he was able to get himself into foul trouble though so that Gibson could come in and shine.
Gibson had 10 points with seven boards. His defense was stellar on the other end as well. Gibson was a plus 19 on the night.
Keith Bogans
3 of 7
Every once in a while I have to say I'm wrong. On rare occasions that makes me happy. I was wrong about inserting Kyle Korver into the starting lineup tonight. Shockingly, Bogans out-shot Korver on the evening scoring 15 points hitting 5-7 form behind the arc.
Bogans too, was splendid defensively, asserting himself at the perimeter and helping to frustrate any attempt at drive into the lane.
Along with his 15 points, Bogans had two steals, two dimes, and one board and was a plus 17 on the night. The numbers don't really tell the full value of what he brought tonight though.
He opened the game hitting a three from the first shot, and that set the tone for the game. The Pacers were forced to defend more than just the lane and the spacing that his shooting opened up was why the strategy the Pacers had employed through the season didn't work.
Luol Deng
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Luol Deng was "Glue-All" Deng again tonight. He did a nice job defending Granger, holding him to 20 points.
Meanwhile Deng added 24 points, six assists and seven rebounds, three steals and one block. He was 7-14 from the field and 3-5 from the three and 7-8 from the stripe. Deng did everything well tonight. His defense, shooting, shot creating and rebounding were all major contribution to the big win.
Joakim Noah
5 of 7
The best thing about losing Game 4 was it gave Joakim Noah another game to get back to himself before the next round starts. If this Noah shows up for the next round, then watch out Atlanta (or maybe Orlando).
Noah was the best he's been since his thumb injury. He was infusing the team with energy and agitating the other team. He drew Josh McRoberts into a flagrant two, and incited AJ Price into another technical. He blocked four shots, grabbed eight rebounds and scored 14 points.
His defense was incredible. He was filling the lane, helping out on the double teams at the perimeter.
His performance also goes way beyond the numbers though. There's no other way to put it than to say, Noah's back.
Derrick Rose
6 of 7Ankle? What ankle? Derrick Rose as Derrick Rose and this time he didn't wait until the fourth quarter. He came out strong and aggressive and had nine points in the first quarter.
Where he really came in though was in the third quarter when Indiana had closed the lead to four after Rose got whistled for his fourth foul and had to sit down.
Then Rose came back in. First he delivered an assist to Gibson. After Hibbert got called for traveling Rose came and hit a three.
He followed that up with a block on Hibbert that was absolutely ridiculous. People overlook how strong Derrick Rose is for his size, but that that block really illustrated his strength. When a point guard is blocking dunks by a 7'1" center, that's just wrong.
Then he got a steal off of Darren Collison and was fouled going in for the fast break. He split the free-throws. After Danny Granger hit a three, Rose answered with a second three.
Suddenly the lead was 15 points, and Rose almost single-handedly blew the game back open.
It seemed that run crushed the Pacers' spirit. The Bulls kept running further and further away.
Going Forward
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The Bulls won't know who they play in the next round until the Atlanta/Orlando series is resolved, but this game was a good sign. It was worth the extra game to get back into rhythm. Their defense was fighting through every possession, and to the end of every shot clock. Offensively they were moving ball, shooting well, and getting the best shot.
Whoever the next round opponent is, if this version of the Bulls shows up, they have a very good chance of getting to the finals.
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