Bulls Pull Away In 4th Quarter, Trample Pacers 104-91

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

What do you do when two NBA teams shoot 37% and 40%, respectively yet you realize that one of these teams have to win their game, despite the atrocious stats? Pray that someone takes over, that’s what. Well enter Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls; in their game Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers at United Center, Rose took charge, scoring 23 points in leading Chicago to the win over Indiana 104-91.

The Pacers would start slow initially by falling behind by 13 in the first quarter; but second-quarter 3-pointers by Danny Granger and Jarrett Jack were a part of a rally which brought Indiana to within 41-40. But Chicago would respond with 5 free throws by Luol Deng and a 3-point play by Joakim Noah; this barrage would help the Bulls build a 55-47 lead going into halftime. The Pacers would score 10 straight points to start the third quarter, but Rose would rally the Bulls as he had 10 points in a 17-6 Chicago run – including a pair of treys.

Rose would then feed Andres Nocioni for a 3-pointer then would drain a jumper to give the Bulls an 81-73 lead going into the fourth quarter. Nocioni would score a basket and a 3-pointer, then Larry Hughes would make a layup then Rose would slam a basket home, giving Chicago a 12-point lead with just under 5 minutes left, a lead they would hold on to.

Rose led all Bulls scorers with 23 points (including three 3-pointers), 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot while Nocioni added 20 with 11 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals but 5 turnovers; Ben Gordon chipped in, scoring 19 with 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while Deng added 17 with 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Indiana was led by T.J. Ford with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal while Granger added 15 with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 2 blocked shots. Chicago (5-5) plays again on Tuesday when they fly to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers while Indiana (4-5) returns home for a brief 2-game homestand, beginning on Tuesday when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

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