Bulls takes game 2 at the United Center, 107-89, goes up 2-0 in series.
Luol Deng started the game a bit cold, shooting just 1-6 from the field but he was the main guy in a decisive fourth quarter run that saw the Bulls' Sudanese swing man pile up 14 points. He finished the game with 26. Ben Gordon was all business from downtown in this game, shooting 5-8 to end up with 27 points. Captain Kirk also bounced back from a dismal game one performance which saw him play only 19 min to end up 1-4 in the field. This time around he shot 50% (6-12 from the field) and ended up with 14 points and 8 dimes.
The officiating was also great in this game compared to game 1's officiating, so great in fact that Shaq didn't question it.
"'I have been around a long time and I've been in all these situations before,' O'Neal said. 'Basically, the Bulls did what they're supposed to do and protect their home court. We have to play smarter basketball. We got to come with a lot more energy and play with a lot more effort and a lot more passion.'''
I don't think the Heat played with less energy, at least I think they played with all the energy they could dish out but, the fact is, that the Bulls are younger, and that Wade is playing hurt--they just can't keep up, whatever they do, with the speed and athleticism that the young Bulls team have. It's just a matter of physical wear and tear on this one.
What really troubled me though is the fact that Skiles still stuck to playing Duhon first before Thabo on Wade. Duhon just can't match up with Wade. He's an easy prey when it comes to Wade's favorite fake-wait-for-defender-to-jump-and-then-draw-foul move. Each time Wade does this, Duhon gets caught in it like some crack addict who got busted in a sting operation for the nth consecutive time. He can't also bother Wade off the dribble unlike how Thabo can. I just can't think of any good reason why Skiles wouldn't just go straight away with Thabo as his secondary Wade defender. He did a great job in game 1, right? Still, Wade scored only 21 points--a far cry from what he usually pours on during playoff games.
Anyway, PJ Brown and Wallace also did a great job on Shaq, limiting him to only 17 points while continually pushing him outside of his comfort zone down low. If they keep this up, a series sweep would really be likely.
Great game overall for the Bulls. They executed well and defended well. Now it's time to take care of business on Miami's home turf. I sure wish the Heat fans refrain from putting up that all-should-wear-white bit that they pulled last year. Man that's just creepy.
Luol Deng started the game a bit cold, shooting just 1-6 from the field but he was the main guy in a decisive fourth quarter run that saw the Bulls' Sudanese swing man pile up 14 points. He finished the game with 26. Ben Gordon was all business from downtown in this game, shooting 5-8 to end up with 27 points. Captain Kirk also bounced back from a dismal game one performance which saw him play only 19 min to end up 1-4 in the field. This time around he shot 50% (6-12 from the field) and ended up with 14 points and 8 dimes.
The officiating was also great in this game compared to game 1's officiating, so great in fact that Shaq didn't question it.
"'I have been around a long time and I've been in all these situations before,' O'Neal said. 'Basically, the Bulls did what they're supposed to do and protect their home court. We have to play smarter basketball. We got to come with a lot more energy and play with a lot more effort and a lot more passion.'''
I don't think the Heat played with less energy, at least I think they played with all the energy they could dish out but, the fact is, that the Bulls are younger, and that Wade is playing hurt--they just can't keep up, whatever they do, with the speed and athleticism that the young Bulls team have. It's just a matter of physical wear and tear on this one.
What really troubled me though is the fact that Skiles still stuck to playing Duhon first before Thabo on Wade. Duhon just can't match up with Wade. He's an easy prey when it comes to Wade's favorite fake-wait-for-defender-to-jump-and-then-draw-foul move. Each time Wade does this, Duhon gets caught in it like some crack addict who got busted in a sting operation for the nth consecutive time. He can't also bother Wade off the dribble unlike how Thabo can. I just can't think of any good reason why Skiles wouldn't just go straight away with Thabo as his secondary Wade defender. He did a great job in game 1, right? Still, Wade scored only 21 points--a far cry from what he usually pours on during playoff games.
Anyway, PJ Brown and Wallace also did a great job on Shaq, limiting him to only 17 points while continually pushing him outside of his comfort zone down low. If they keep this up, a series sweep would really be likely.
Great game overall for the Bulls. They executed well and defended well. Now it's time to take care of business on Miami's home turf. I sure wish the Heat fans refrain from putting up that all-should-wear-white bit that they pulled last year. Man that's just creepy.
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