NBA Playoffs 2011: Chicago Bulls Lose Chance to Defeat Miami, NBA in Game 4
(For the record, I am not a Chicago Bulls fan)
The Chicago Bulls were outnumbered on the court Tuesday Night in Miami.
Not only were they facing the three-headed monster and hired guns of the Miami Heat, they were also facing the NBA and it's referees.
Time and again, a Chicago drive lead to a no-call, yet a Miami drive almost always drew a whistle.
In one run, Miami outscored Chicago 6-2 to take a lead in the fourth quarter thanks entirely to free throws, while Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer on the same drive in attempts, couldn't get a single call.
Yes, Derrick Rose had a chance to win Game 4, yet one cannot ignore the fact that at the end of the game, Chicago had just 22 total free throw attempts, Miami 38. The point difference in free throws was +15 for Miami, and the final score was Miami by eight points.
Lebron James and Chris Bosh alone combined for 24 of the 38 free throw attempts for Miami, out-shooting the entire Bulls team by two.
Through four games, Derrick Rose has shot 26 free throws, Lebron James 33, and throughout the series, the Heat lead Chicago 106-89 in free throw attempts.
Yes, Miami's defense has played a huge part in their success of what many argue is a one-man Chicago Bulls team, and each of their big three have contributed in some part or another (Wade the physical one breaking arms, Bosh the consistent one, and LeBron Mr. Fourth Quarter), yet the foul calls have seemed to heavily favor the Miami Heat in both Games 3 and 4.
In Game 3, Miami out-shot Chicago 29-21 in free throws with a +9 at the end of the game. The final score was Miami by nine.
The Miami Heat, David Stern and the NBA now lead the best of seven series over the Chicago Bulls three games to one, with Miami looking to close out the series Thursday night in Chicago.
