Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks: Round-up of NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals (Part 1)
The Chicago Bulls made their way into the Eastern Conference semi-finals after defeating the Indiana Pacers 4-1. On the other hand, Atlanta Hawks prevailed over the Orlando Magic 4-2 and advanced into the second-round of the National
Basketball Association 2011 playoffs.
Game-1: Atlanta Hawks 103 – Chicago Bulls 95
Joe Johnson marshalled the Atlanta Hawks and they defeated the top-seed Chicago Bulls 103-95 on May 2, 2011 at the United Centre, Chicago.
Johnson scored 34 points together with four rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Hawks.
The turning point of the game came in the third quarter, when the Hawks were trailing 66-60 late after which Atlanta went on a 12-5 run and clinch the lead again going into the fourth quarter and then bombarded the Bulls with an
8-0 charge in the fourth. Before, the Hawks took the game away from the Bulls completely.
Derrick Rose had 24 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and on block.
Game-2: Chicago Bulls 86 – Atlanta Hawks 73
Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose led the Chicago Bulls as they overpowered the Atlanta Hawks 86-73 and levelled the series 1-1 on May 4, 2011 in United Centre.
Noah made a game winning double-double; scoring 19 points and 14 boards while Rose chipped in 25 points and swatted 10 assists too.
The game remained a low scoring one, even though the Bulls kept a margin of six at the close of the first and then extended it 48-37 at the halftime. The Hawks made some possession during the third quarter that notched the lead
down to single-digit, but failed to eclipse the lead and the Bulls led Atlanta 65-58 into the final 12 minutes of the game.
Kyle Korver hit his only basket of the game, a three-pointer at the 24-second buzzer which put the Bulls up 70-60 with nine to go in the fourth period. After this the Bulls never looked back and secured the game.
Guard Jeff Teague scored a team-high 21 points, while previous game hero Joe Johnson made just 16 points.
Game-3: Chicago Bulls 99 – Atlanta Hawks 82
Derrick Rose had a monstrous night and the Chicago Bulls trounced past the Atlanta Hawks 99-82 and went up 2-1 in the second-round on May 6, 2011 at the Philips Arena, Atlanta.
Rose poured in a career-high 44 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Bulls.
The Bulls opened the game by capping the first quarter 29-23 before pushing the advantage to 56-43 at the half time. There was no turning point in the game as the Hawks never led the Bulls. The one way traffic continued even after
the break and the Bulls ease past the Hawks.
Josh Smith scored 17 points and 13 boards for the Hawks while Jeff Teague scored his career-high 21 points and remained their offensive leader.
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