NBA Playoffs 2011: Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks Post-Game 1 Reaction
Things went from bad to worse for Chicago tonight.
Not only did they lose the opening game against the Atlanta Hawks, they may have lost their young MVP to an ankle injury.
The Bulls got off to an awfully slow start, surrendering the biggest deficit to the Hawks they have been in all season. It was 28-18 during the first break, with the Bulls shooting only 6-for-21 and Rose having a goose egg on the board.
The Bulls surged through the second quarter, only down by one at the midway point, as the bench played the first six minutes of the quarter well and set the starters up to take the game back.
During the third quarter, it looked as if Chicago was bound to take control of the game and put it away. They took a six point lead but the Hawks were resilient.
They pushed back and did not let their guard down while being led by Joe Johnson who finished with 34 and hit a flurry of big, contested shots.
They continued to attack the Bulls through the end of the fourth quarter before eventually stealing game one in the United Center and taking an early series lead.
Will Derrick Rose's Ankle Be Okay?
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Chicago fans won't be sleeping easy tonight.
Derrick Rose in the closing seconds of the game, after Atlanta had sealed the victory, accidentally stepped on the heel of Jamaal Crawford's shoe, tweaking his already hurt ankle in the process.
No news has been released regarding the severity of the ankle, but Rose did not leave the court on his own power. His was helped by teammates and trainers to get to the locker room.
He only has one day of rest before Wednesday's game in order to fully heal the ankle.
If it is anything more severe than his injury against the Pacers, there's a strong chance Thibodeau will bench him for game two.
Can Joe Johnson Continue to Score at This Rate?
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Joe Johnson was absolutely lethal against the Bulls Monday night.
He hit big shot after big shot, even when highly contested. He finished the night with 34 points and was definitely the MVP of Game 1.
But can he keep it up?
Some of the shots Johnson took were highly difficult but they all dropped.
Often times, the tide will turn on that type of performance. Next game it's very possible that Johnson could take the same shots and struggle mightily.
It is dire to the Hawks that he keeps this performance up, because he's definitely being paid for these types of games.
Can the Bulls Stop Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford?
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Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson are the sharp shooters of Atlanta and were mostly covered by Keith Bogans and Luol Deng, who are typically strong defenders.
The Bulls, however, were torched by these two in Game 1. Can the Bulls find a way to shut them down?
Certainly. The Bulls have done it before when they led by 47 in the regular season. Sure, the intensity may be different from the regular season, but basketball is basketball.
If the Bulls found a way to do it once, why can't they find a way to do it twice?
Should the Bulls Panic?
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The Bulls are down in the series, they were lit up by Joe Johnson, the pressure is now on, and they could very well be missing a little piece of their rotation with the name Derrick Rose.
Should they panic?
Nobody knows yet. It could all rest on Rose's ankle.
By this time tomorrow, the Bulls will likely know more about how they should be feeling about this series.
Even if Rose is okay, if they blow Game 2, then panic should definitely come into factor for the team and their fans.
What Two Players Need to Step Their Game Up for Chicago in Game Two?
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Carlos Boozer, the Bulls key offseason acquisition, has struggled throughout these playoffs.He was signed for his low-post scoring and the Bulls knew he was a liability on the defensive side of the ball.
Without his offensive game in motion, he is basically a liability anywhere on the court. He definitely needs to find his stroke before game two, as he can exploit Al Horford down low and get momentum for the Bulls.
As unpopular and untimely as it is with the ankle, the other player would have to be Derrick Rose. He is putting up too many deep range shots, which he has struggled with most of the postseason.
He put up another low field goal percentage and is currently not playing like the MVP that he is. After winning the award, he is now being held at a higher standard and needs to perform as such.
What Did the Atlanta Hawks Do Right in Game 1?
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Ball movement and composure were the two biggest factors on the court for Atlanta.
Atlanta maintained their composure through the Bulls mid-game surge to the lead and fired back with a run of their own. It was the one thing that Indiana seemed to struggle with in the opening round.
If Atlanta can hold on to leads and take advantage of Chicago's errors, they're going to be hard to beat.
Along with keeping their cool, Atlanta moved the ball very well. They didn't put up shots they couldn't hit.
Joe Johnson may have thrown up a couple unadvised shots, but drained them like they were a free throw. Atlanta found the open man and exploited holes in the stingy Chicago defense.
What Do the Bulls Need to Change?
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After surrendering the first nine points of the game, Chicago's Luol Deng finally hit a free throw to put them on the board.
Derrick was unable to score anything in the opening 12 minutes, and the Bulls found themselves down by ten in the early going.
What the Bulls need to change are these slow starts they keep finding themselves in. Not only does it put them in a hole on the scoreboard, but it can mentally drain players along with the crowd.
If Atlanta manages to take the crowd out of the game, then it becomes much easier for them as the game goes along.
Conclusion: Time for the Bulls to Prove They Are the No. 1 Seed
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Atlanta proved a point in the opening game; they mean business.
Chicago knows that they can beat any team in the league if they show up, but they carried their lackluster performances into the second round.
They look unprepared for the playoffs and need to regain their composure if they are to win this series. Can the Bulls handle the scrutiny that they are now under as they are called names such as "overrated?"
Derrick Rose update: Rose has been listed as day-to-day, which means that in all likelihood he will be playing in Game 2. I doubt Thibodeau will hold him out if he's able to play whatsoever.
