Bulls Take 2-1 Series Lead
The Chicago Bulls took a 2-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night with a lucky 3-point shot from former MVP Derrick Rose. Rose will be the first to tell you that he did not intend to use the glass. While it took luck for the Bulls to avoid OT while having to play 2-way stud Jimmy Butler with 5 fouls, the refs chose to look the other way twice against LeBron James in the last 2 minutes of the game. LeBron fouled Butler while shooting a 3 pointer that he missed. Soon after LeBron fouled Rose, and again no call.
This series has been filled with passion and aggression with hard fouls and lots of trash talk. This is to be expected with playoff basketball, and some of the best players in the game. Joakim Noah is one of the most openly passionate players in the NBA currently and has been going back and forth with King James. After the game, James said that Noah went too far with his trash talk. You could tell LeBron was offended because shortly after, he posterized Noah and James was called for a technical for taunting. Don't forget Chicago has never won more than 1 game in a series against a LeBron James lead squad.
James was the high scorer for the Cavs with 27 points going only 8-25 from including an abysmal 1-7 from downtown. James did dish out 14 dimes, while PG Kyrie Irving had none. After the game, reporters asked LeBron if he blamed Irving for the lost, and like and admirable man, said no, blame me, all of the team needs to step up. Rose used his game winning shot to give him a game high 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Just as a reminder, Pau Gasol left the game with a left hamstring injury and did not return, while Irving disclosed that he has been playing with a sore foot. We will see if any of these injuries effect what happens in game 4 in Chicago.
By Steven Spector - 5-9-15
