Derrick Rose leads Chicago Bulls to an 88-79 win over Boston Celtics - NBA Recap
A capacity crowd had gathered at the TD Garden to witness a clash between two giants Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls, and although it did not turn out to be a nail biter, but still was an absorbing contest.
Bulls dominated the first half and were cruising to victory, ahead by as much as 20 points 57-37 in the third minute of the third frame. However, they froze after that, allowing the C’s to make a massive comeback.
Celtics fuelled a phenomenal 29-10 run, capped by Mickeal Pietrus’s three on an assist from Paul Pierce in the 2nd minute of the deciding frame to get as close as 66-67 and blow the game wide open.
However, once again, the reigning MVP Derrick Rose intervened and did what he is best at.
He almost single handedly rattled a 17-7 run in the next few minutes to put Bulls in a commanding position once again. With 2 minutes remaining in the game, Bulls lead was once again in the double digits 84-73, and this time Celtics failed to make a comeback
and lost the game with 9 points margin in the end.
Rose, who missed the Bulls last game due to a sprained toe was included in the lineup at the last hour after he was declared fit to play by the team’s medical staff and he did not take any time to settle.
"They were giving me the shot," Rose said. "I probably was out a little bit further than I normally am, but they didn't come and contest and I was just shooting. My teammates have confidence in me. They see how hard I work on my shot and my game. And at
the end of the game like that when situations happen, they're going to give me the ball."
Rose received a lot of help from his team mates as well.
Luol Deng completed yet another double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds while Carlos Boozer and Ronnie Brewer drained 12 apiece. Joakim Noah too played his part by pounding 10 points and grabbing 12 boards.
Although there was not much to differentiate between the two teams in terms of shooting, Bulls outmatched the C’s in the rebounds 46-34.
Ray Allen led the Celtics with 16 points 6 for 13 from the floor whereas Rajon Rondo nearly missed a triple-double (14 points, 11 assists, and 7 boards). Paul Pierce struggled with the shooting (3 for 12 from inside the arc), and accumulated 13 points in
the end. Brandon Bass (10) was the only other player who managed to end with scores in double figures. Veteran Kevin Garnett failed to make any sort of impact and only managed 8.
Tags: