Dec

20

Rose’s Free Throws In OT Help Bulls Edge Hawks 101-98

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

Derrick Rose (#1)

Two superstar players were on display Saturday night when the Atlanta Hawks visited the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls – Joe Johnson and Derrick Rose. And for the 21,381 who were in attendance, not one of them were disappointed as both Rose got their points. The game was closely played throughout as the game went into overtime; a pair of free throws by Rose with 10.8 seconds left helped Chicago get past Atlanta 101-98.

The first quarter was relatively close; the Hawks gradually built their lead and would lead by as many as seven, courtesy of a Jamal Crawford three-pointer with 3:03 left in the period. After an Atlanta timeout, they would go on a quick 7-1 run, capped by a Zaza Pachulia jumper with 19 seconds left, putting them up 29-16 going into the second quarter. Chicago had their deficit down to six before Atlanta built a 12-point lead on a pair of Josh Smith free throws with 5:39 remaining in the half; the Bulls managed to take their deficit down to six at halftime.

The third quarter was a stalemate as both teams scored 23 apiece as they went into the fourth quarter with the Hawks ahead 69-63. A Kirk Hinrich trey with 2:36 left in regulation pulled the Bulls to within 88-86, and the Bulls eventually tied it at 92 on Rose’s driving layup with 35 seconds left after Johnson missed a jumper. Salmons’ corner 3-pointer gave Chicago a 97-94 lead. Smith then scored down low before a driving Luol Deng shoveled the ball to Rose for a layup that made it 99-96 with 59 seconds remaining.

Johnson then hit two free throws to pull Atlanta within one, and Deng charged into Smith with 19.8 seconds left, but Johnson missed on a layup after driving by John Salmons. Noah tipped the ball away as it bounced off the rim, Luol Deng got the rebound and Rose made it a three point game with two free throws. Johnson had another chance to give the Hawks the lead but missed a short fadeaway with 22 seconds left. Deng grabbed the rebound, and after a full timeout and 20-second timeout, eventually missed an 18-footer off the dribble as time expired. Rose scored the tying basket in regulation, then hit two free throws with 10.8 seconds left in overtime to seal it, sending the Bulls to their second straight win.

Rose led the Bulls in scoring with a career-high 32 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists while Deng added 21 with 12 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal and 2 blocks; Salmons chipped in 16 with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block. Johnson led the Hawks with a game-high 40 points (including 5 treys), 6 rebounds and 4 assists while Al Horford added 15 with 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks; Crawford poured in 14 with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.

Chicago (10-15) plays again when they host the Sacramento Kings on Monday while Atlanta (19-7) jets to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night.


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