NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat game-5 Preview – Part 2
The Heat are shooting 46.8 percent in the series and have turned the noose on the Bulls, limiting them to just 39.9 percent from the field.
Miami is getting huge support from its bench also. Forward Udonis Haslem, who missed the last 69 games of the regular season with a torn ligament in his left foot, is playing well in the series, averaging 5.8 points, and 4.5 rebounds
per game. The performance of the 30-year-old was terrific in the second game of the series. Not only, he scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds in Miami’s 85-75 victory, but also turned the momentum of the game in Miami’s favour by scoring nine points
on 4-for-4 shooting in the third quarter.
In the previous three games of the series, the players of the Heat have been outstanding down the stretch. Chicago has taken Miami to the final minutes but they have come up short every time. The biggest problem for the Bulls is
that the Heat have successfully defended their leading scorer in the closing minutes of every game.
The Heat point guard Mario Chalmers praised the sizzling play of his team in the final stanza and O.T. of game-4 and said, "I think it came down to hustle plays.” "At first they (Chicago Bulls) were beating us to all the 50/50
balls. In the fourth quarter and the overtime, we were able to beat them to all the 50/50 balls and that is what helped us win.
The Bulls have a home-court advantage in the upcoming game and that is sure to help them. Chicago’s record at United Center during the regular was terrific to say the least. They were on 36-5 at home and finished as the best home
team during the regular season. Knowing that they have pushed Miami to their limits, the Bulls will know that home court and a loud support might just be the catalyst that can help them topple the Heat.
However, to do so the Bulls need another offensive outlet except Rose. The 22-year-old has the guts to break the shooting jinx; he just needs another helping hand for that. If the Heat double-teams him in the next game, he needs
to be a distributor and somebody has to be there to make good on his assists and plays.
The Bulls’ coach Tom Thibodeau is confident of the athletic abilities of Rose as he said, "(Rose) doesn't have to change," "He can go catch-and-shoot, he can go isolation, and he can go pick-and-roll. There are a lot of things.
But they also have an excellent team defence. It's not just LeBron."
In this do or die situation, Derrick Rose must play like the MVP in order to go past LeBron James and the Miami Heat. If Rose does not get a 40 or at a minimum 35 plus night on Thursday and if the rest of the Bulls offense continues
to wait for miracles to happen, then there is only one way, the Bulls will be going on the night and that is back to their homes.
Tags: