Derrick Rose – Bulls tie series in 2 OT
April 26, 2009 by James Edwards
Filed under Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, NBA Playoffs
NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.
The Chicago Bulls have no illusions about this series. They only see the opportunity to win this opening series and move on. Kevin Garnett, the Celtics leader, is hurt and out of the playoffs. The Celtics miss him, but are not using it as an excuse.
It is Derrick Rose vs. Rajon Rondo
The real battle in this series has been a surprise. It is all Derrick Rose against Rajon Rondo and once again, both players were brilliant.
Rose (11 rebounds, nine assists) scored 10 points in the first half, before going scoreless in the third. The NBA Rookie of the Year then took over in the fourth making five of his six shots. His lone miss was a last-second shot that would have won it for the Bulls.
“My team is looking for me to be aggressive,” Rose said. “I was looking to push the ball and get my teammates involved.”
Rondo, Rose’s counterpart, was an absolute force again for the Celtics, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Paul Pierce had a team-high 29 points — 11 in the two overtime periods.
“[Rondo is] a good point guard,” Rose said. “He does everything you need to get done on the court. It’s fun out there when we are playing against each other.”
Rose ruled the 4th quarter and Ben Gordon made a great shot to move the game to the second overtime, where John Salmons performed some heroics to win the game. John Salmons not only had 20 points, but he sealed the game with two free throws and then blocked Paul Pierce’s last second attempt to win the game.
Photo source Newscom
As always, any NBA Basketball related comments are welcome.
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I love the “secondary” matchup between Gordon and Allen. There’s no way Gordon will be as successful as Ray Ray in the long-term, but this shooting guard battle is amazing as well.