Schuster: Rose Sprains Ankle, Series Returns To Chicago
By David Schuster--
INDIANAPOLIS (WSCR) The Bulls literally and figuratively limped out of town. Literally being Derrick Rose who sprained his ankle in the first quarter. X-rays after the game proved to be negative but he was obviously effected throughout the contest. Rose shot just 6/22 overall and just 1/9 from behind the arc. He also attempted just 4 free throws after shooting 49 in the first three games and he admitted he wasn't attacking the rim due to the ankle.
The Bulls weren't doing much of any attacking throughout most of the game. In fact they trailed by 13 with just 2.17 to go before finally resembling a top seeded team. A furious rush drew them to within 1 with just 15 seconds left and eventually they had a chance to tie but a busted play netted them only a bad 3 point shot by Carlos Boozer which came up short. Boozer should not have been on the floor on that last play since they were going for 3. Instead, Tom Thibodeau should have had another shooter on the court like Rasual Butler or C.J. Watson or Keith Bogans.
Boozer finished with a double double of 15 points and 13 boards but still left plenty to be desired. Joakim Noah also had a double double with 21 points and 14 boards but the Bulls bench was outscored 30-17 and that's getting to be a trend in this series.
The series still has the Bulls up three games to one but make no mistake, the Pacers have outplayed the Bulls a majority of the time. If Indiana could play better in the final minutes of a game this series could easily be reversed.
So it's back to the adjustment board for Thibodeau and the Bulls. They have to counteract the defense the Pacers are playing on Rose, they have to play better defense on their end of the court and they have to start games with much more urgency and not fall behind. The Pacers now have some life. How much life remains to be seen come Tuesday night.
