Series Shifts To Atlanta, Bulls Need To Establish Tempo
CHICAGO (CBS) The Chicago Bulls' 86-73 Game 2 win over the Atlanta Hawks wasn't the prettiest Chicago has had this season, but it's a win nonetheless.
And for the third time this postseason, the Bulls scored less than 90 points.
"That's fine with us," league MVP Derrick Rose said of playing in low scoring contests. "As long as we can win the game that we play in, or put up a good effort, we're fine with it. We are just trying to go out there, play hard, play together and put up a good fight."
As for Rose, he scored 25 points and added 10 assists on the same night he was handed the league's MVP trophy in front of 22,872 fans at the United Center.
"He's a risk taker," head coach Tom Thibodeau said of Rose. "But that's the way he has to play, we want him to be aggressive. Most night's his turnovers are low, and we know going on the road we have to take better care of the ball."
With the series now shifting to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4, the Bulls can take back home-court advantage with a win, and by dictating the way the games are played.
"I think you have to establish who you are," Thibodeau said. "It goes back to defending, rebounding and low turnovers, these three things are a priority. And the offense is inside-out, share the ball."