Bulls Bring 'A Game' to Atlanta, Beat Hawks 99-82

I said it Friday: the Chicago Bulls had to bring their "A Game" to Atlanta and that they did. Derrick Rose scored a career high 44 points and played like a man possessed as the Bulls dominated the Atlanta Hawks, 99-82.

Sam Smith has posted an article at the Chicago Bulls' website titled "Bulls shoot down Hawks."

The Bulls were up a bit extra because Jamal Crawford had said to the press that Atlanta survived Chicago's "best game." Friday night exhibited a different Bulls' team and the Hawks did not survive the game.

Derrick Rose has been hampered by an ankle injury. Obviously he is over it. He scored 44 points. However, it was the way he scored his points that left people, including his teammates, stunned and singing his praises.

Rose would drive on the Hawks on one possession only to hit a three-pointer the next. The following time down the court he would throw an unstoppable pass to a teammate giving them a basket.

No single player wins a game. Despite giving Rose most of the credit the Bulls would not have won without the defense of Joakim Noah. Noah was everywhere blocking shots, rebounding offensively and defensively as well as handing out assists. Carlos Boozer had a lot of his underneath game back.

Perhaps the game ball should go to the Bulls' bench. Players like Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Taj Gibson, Kyle Korver and Kurt Thomas came into the game and not only held the lead but increased it. They chased Atlanta starters all over the court and had the Bulls' starting five cheering. Noah said, "The bench was unbelievable."

Simply put the Bulls played like the Bulls can play, like they are designed to play. They are an "attacking team." Derrick Rose probes for a weakness and often shoots. Then there is a vicious attempt to get the offensive rebound. On defense the Bulls are so intent they often have three second violations called on them.

Chicago showed last night that when they are "on" there are few if any teams that can beat them.

The Bulls and Hawks will play Game Four tomorrow night, May 8.

References:

Chicago Bulls' Website, Sam Smith, "Bulls shoot down Hawks"

Associated Content from Yahoo Website, Gary Davis, "Poor Showing by Bulls Could Set fatal Tone Upon Entering Atlanta"