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Déjà vu For Game 2…Rose Carries Team To Victory 96-90
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor

It must seem like Déjà vu to the Indiana paces or perhaps “Ground Hog Day” as the plot repeated it self in game #2 of Pacers versus Bulls playoff series. Once again, just like in game #1 the Pacers grabbed the lead early and held on until the final seven minutes of the 4th quarter only to be relinquish the lead to the Bulls and MVP candidate Derrick Rose 76-74. Rose dazzled both the crowed and the Pacers scoring 14 points in the quarter including 36 points for night. He carried Chicago to thrilling 96-90 win at the United Center.

The outcome was in question up to the final seconds of game as Rose countered with a drive to the basket or a step-back jumper each time the Pacers scored. With 2:15 remaining Rose drove by two pacers defenders, used a crossed-over dribbled on the 6' 8" Paul George and than knifed pass 6'11" Jeff Foster for spectacular layup 87-83.

"Killer" Kyle Korver with 1:09 remaining stuck a three-point dagger into the pacers hearts to insight the U.C. crowd to thunderous applause 90-85. Three free-throws awarded to A.J. Price on a controversial foul by Rose and a pair of free throws by Rose and Ronnie Brewer wrapped-up the tenuous victory for Chicago.

"Only thing I’m worried about is my turnovers, I had 6 of them and that definitely changed the game," Rose said. "I can learn from it and do better next time."

Head coach Tom Thibodeau said despite 21 turnovers by the team he believes Derrick can handle the traps and double teams. "Derrick has seen everything this season. There is nothing that they can throw at him he hasn’t already faced. Derrick has to stay very aggressive. He is a leader and he earned everything that he gotten he runs the team great and he wants the challenge."

"Killer" Kyle Korver Hit The 3 That Mattered
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor

To the Pacers credit, they competed with Chicago each possession and contended in each and every quarter. So far they the Pacers have led at the end of six of the eight quarters but have failed to hold the lead when it counts in the final quarter.

“I’m very happy with the efforts of our guys, we played our hearts out and you can’t ask for anything more than that," said head coach Vogel. Guys stepped up after the injury to Collison, Ford and Price did great. We set a record for our selves with 4 blocks and three steals. We stood toe-to-toe with these guy and we take our chances at home and see what happens.”

Danny Granger scored 19 points in 34:42 minutes and hit 7-14 from the field. But the surprise of the night was the off the bench play by T.J. Ford replacing Collison. Ford scored 13 points in 24 minutes to boaster the Pacers scoring.

Jeff Foster scored 9 points and Mike Dunleavy was 2-3 at three point range finishing with 8-points. Game one star, Tyler Hansbrough in 40:00 minutes shot a disappointing 2-12 from the field, 6 rebounds and only 6 points.

Tough Night For Josh McRoberts 3-9 for 6-Points
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor

Carlos Boozer who was limited to 4-11 scoring 12 points got his offense game going early as the Bulls took advantage of his low presence in the 1st quarter. "I was just playing off my teammates," said Boozer. "We feel like we can play better and I think we will."

Boozer was Chicago 2nd highest scorer with 19 points 6-12. "We did a good job playing "D" locking them up, we got points when we had to. It was a close game down to the wire but most games in the playoffs are like that. We played a lot of close game during the season and were confident we could win this game."

Chicago plan is simple when playing a close game. "We get the ball to our MVP (Rose) and get out of the way, said Carlos Boozer." Can't argue with the plan so far, Rose has scored a total of 75-points in the 1st two games and has out scored Indiana's leading score Danny Granger 32 points for series.

" I really don’t know how I do it toward the end of the game," Rose said. "May be it’s the urgency. We have played are worse and we are blessed to get these two wins. When we get things rolling we are going to be tough."

"We are very happy to be up 2-0 but our play has to get better. We have to be more efficient on the defensive end. But I think we are bringing things together pretty quickly"

"It gonna be tough in Indiana but we have to pull together. We will have to stay together and focused. It’s a tough place to play. They have been very tough games, they are still fighting including the guys who back-up their starters. They are a tough team who is hard to beat."