Chicago Bulls Survive Upset Scare From Indiana Pacers
The eighth seeded Indiana Pacers--the only team to make the playoffs with a sub-.500 record--nearly pulled off an enormous stunner in the very first 2011 postseason game. Nearly.
Indiana led the Chicago Bulls, the conference's top seed and owners of the best overall record in the NBA this season, throughout most of the game. Ahead 79-71 entering the fourth period, the Pacers quickly let their lead slip away.
With 9:26 remaining, Bulls guard Kyle Korver drained a 25-footer to bridge the gap to 85-81. But on the back of Tyler Hansbrough (22 points) the Pacers regained an nine point lead with 3:38 to play.
Again, they fell victim to another run by Chicago. Joakim Noah made two buckets to pull within four points, then MVP favorite Derrick Rose scored five points in the span of 23 seconds to tie the game at 99 with one minute remaining.
Not to be outdone by his teammate Rose, Korver (13 points, 4-for-4 on 4-point attempts) again stepped to the forefront. He blocked Darren Collison's shot at one end of the court, then nailed another three pointer to give the Bulls a 102-99 lead. Missed jumpers from Indiana's Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavey sealed the 104-99 win for Chicago.
The Bulls take a 1-0 advantage heading into Game Two, Monday night at 9:30 at the United Center.
Avril Lavigne Bridget Moynahan Noureen DeWulf Nicollette Sheridan Amber Heard
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