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CHICAGOIf there was a nightmare scenario for how the opening game of the playoff was not supposed to go, Doug Collins got a good look at it on Saturday afternoon at the United Center.
But then again, maybe Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau did too.
The Bulls pounded the glass with their big, physical low-post players and got plenty of scoring from Derrick Rose and the backcourt as they cruised to a 103-91 victory over the Sixers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs (see Instant Replay). The Bulls yanked down 59 rebounds and 20 second-chance points to take a quick lead in the best-of-seven series.
However, the Bulls suffered a crippling blow that could change the tenor of the rest of the series.
With 1:17 left in the game and the Bulls up by 14 points, reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose landed awkwardly after a shot and crumpled to the floor in front of the Sixers bench. Rose had to be helped off the floor and was ushered to the hospital for an MRI, where it was revealed that he had suffered a torn ACL.
The Bulls say Rose will miss the remainder of the season. He also will miss the Olympics where he was expected to be one of Team USA's primary backcourt stars.
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After the game the question for the Bulls coach was what was Rose doing on the floor at that point of the game in the first place?
I do not work backwards like the media, the score was going the other way, Thibodeau said. Hes got to play. We sat him to about the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Derrick has to work on finishing and on closing. Our team did not handle that part great. Thats what I was thinking.
Collins, not one to ever second-guess another coach, saw no fault in Rose playing so late in the game.
The one thing is, Tom Thibodeau is coach of the year, Collins said. He was the coach of the year last year and he is this year. He knows what hes doing coaching his team. Thibs is my buddy. I have the ultimate respect for him from his standpoint, he wanted to finish the game the way he did. Its awful that Derrick got hurt. When we play teams I want to beat them at their best. I hope the kid bounces back.
Rose had a game-high 23 points on 9-for-23 shooting with nine rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes.
However, Rose has been battling a host of injuries all season long and has appeared in just four games over the Bulls final 10, with just one set of back-to-back appearances. He appeared in just 39 games this season, averaging nearly 22 points and eight assists, but the Bulls were 32-7 in those games.
Still, in the three games between the Sixers and the Bulls this season, Philly lost the one in which Rose did not play. Plus, the Bulls were 18-9 without their star this season.
Regardless of Roses status, if the Sixers are going to make it a series they are going to have to neutralize the Bulls strength on the boards. Thats definitely easier said than done since its not one player the Sixers have to battle. In fact, Joakim Noah led the Bulls with 13 rebounds in Game 1 and Rose had the second most with nine. Carlos Boozer, the 6-foot-9 low-post bruiser, grabbed seven boards.
I think thats why they had the best record in the league, said Andre Iguodala, who went just 3 for 11 for 11 points in the opener. Its not a one-man show. They have a solid unit and a great coach. Even when their No. 1 guy was out this season they got wins and played a high caliber of basketball. Offensively and defensively they are about as good as it gets.
Even without Rose how do the Sixers stop the Bulls rebounders in Game 2? Given that the Sixers game planned to battle the Bulls on the boards, its clearly easier said than done. The reason is because the Bulls big men rarely double on the perimeter and can stay on the low post and attack the glass.
In the two days to prepare for Game 2, the Sixers say they will have to map out a new strategy.
Maybe we wont trap as much so were not out of position, but were going to have to figure out how to hit those boards, said Elton Brand, who led the Sixers with 19 points and seven rebounds. Its like a play for them. They shoot their shots and get tip outs and second-chance points.
The Sixers also were expecting to get punched in the mouth, as Collins said before the game, but after a three-pointer to open the game, the team missed its next eight shots and fell behind by eight points midway through the opening quarter. However, Brand found his shot and hit seven jumpers in the first half.
With Brand as the Sixers main offensive weapon, the Sixers tied the game with 11:12 left in the half.
That was the last time.
Following a three-pointer by Luol Deng, the Sixers missed a shot and had three straight turnovers from Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday. Suddenly the Sixers rally was turned into a double-digit deficit, where it remained for the majority of the second half.
I think we had three segments that really hurt us, Collins said. We were down 10-3, we fought back to tie it at 28-all and then we had three turnovers and a missed layup. They hit us with a 9-0 run. It was like a 19-3 spurt.
We were down 11 at the half, we got it down to eight, missed another tough shot and they hit us with another run. Any time we made a little move on them they hit us with one of those spurts and thats what championship teams do.
But how will the Bulls recover for Game 2? Better yet, can the Sixers solve the Bulls big men?
Game 2 is Tuesday night at the United Center.
E-mail John Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com