Boozer, Gibson and Korver Key to Bulls' Game 3 Win

The Chicago Bulls have three players who are keys to a victory in Game 3 tonight in Miami against the Heat. They are Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Taj Gibson. Of course Chicago needs their regular team to show up as well but these three players will have a lot to say about how the Bulls fare against the Miami Heat.

Chicago Tribune Reporter K.C. Johnson reports on one of the players, Carlos Boozer in an article titled "Bulls could use boost from Boozer."

Carlos Boozer is an inside player and the Bulls need him for scoring, rebounding and defense. He has not been effective in scoring providing only seven points in Game 2. While active in other areas Boozer was benched in the fourth quarter of Game 2.

One issue that is often talked about is that Boozer originally wanted to go to the Heat but was not taken.

On Bleacher Report, Mick Akers asks the question "Should Taj Gibson Start and Carlos Boozer Come off the Bench for the Bulls?"

Why is the question being asked? Boozer isn't getting the total job completed consistently. Gibson has been scoring, playing stellar defense and bringing energy to a team that responds dramatically to single plays. Nothing exhibits Gibson's effectiveness more than his dunk over Dwyane Wade.

However, Gibson needs to stay in his role coming off of the bench. To replace Boozer accomplishes nothing because there is still the time to fill with a good player represented by the Boozer-Gibson tandem.

The large question mark is Kyle Korver. He is important because he shoots three-pointers and these shots either excite the Chicago crowd or deflate the Miami crowd. Unfortunately Korver has been cold. However as Melissa Isaacson writes on ESPN, the Bulls are hanging with Korver. Her article "Bulls keep cool about cold Kyle Korver" tells us that Korver's woes will not be reason to leave him out.

It is more than that. The Bulls need Korver to score and take the attention off Derrick Rose. When Rose drives Korver provides an outlet pass for a clear shot -- but he must make it.

The Chicago Bulls can beat the Miami Heat. To do so they will need an effective Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Kyle Korver. The Bulls strength all year has been defense and their bench and nothing has changed.

References:

ESPN Website, Melissa Isaacson, "Bulls keep cool about cold Kyle Korver"

CBS Sports' Website, "Taj Gibson dunks on Dwyane Wade"

Bleacher Report.com Website, Mick Akers, "Should Taj Gibson Start and Carlos Boozer off the bench for the Bulls"

Chicagobreakingsports.com, K.C. Johnson, "Bulls could use a boost from Boozer"