Rose, Korver Lead Bulls to 3-0 Lead Over Indiana 88-84

The Chicago Bulls are totally in the driver's seat in their series with the Indiana Pacers, taking the third straight game last night 88-84. The game was marred by a rash of "hard fouls" by Indiana, some flagrant, that were not called by the referees. Derrick Rose was arguably the star once again, although Kyle Korver is really stepping up and has pulled the Bulls out of holes in all three games.

Sam Smith has posted an article at the Chicago Bulls' website titled "Bulls take 3-0 lead over Pacers."

The game was the same as games one and two. First of all, it was close all the way. Next, ultimately the Bulls had to come from behind. Finally, the game was physical, with the Pacers putting on a disappointing display of aggressiveness.

The Pacers throughout the series with Chicago have employed two major concepts in trying to win their games. They have double-teamed Derrick Rose. Routinely, Rose has been met at the top of the key by two Indiana players. They have tried to trap him and run and keep him moving away from the basket or unilaterally. The other thing they have done is make Rose pay any time he drives the lane by fouling him very hard. Rose has been taking this well, with just a couple of exceptions.

The trade off for hard fouls is that the Bulls get free throws; if we compare the difference in free throws, considering the closeness of winning margins, we would have to say Indiana's method of defense has failed.

You always hear sports pundits speak of "intangibles." That means something the other team could not have expected or prepared for. In the case of the Bulls and Pacers, while the Pacers could have and would have figured on Rose being an impact player, there is no way they would have prepared their defense to closely guard Kyle Korver.

Unfortunately for the Pacers, Korver has hit an incredible number of three-point shots, and perhaps more importantly has been there for a pass when Rose has been closely guarded.

While no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit, don't expect the Bulls to ease up.

Reference:

Chicago Bulls' Website, Sam Smith, "Bulls take 3-0 lead over Pacers"