GAME 2
BOSTON 118, BULLS 115
Derrick Rose’s 36-point playoff debut had the city buzzing. Suddenly, fans were comparing the Bulls rookie to Michael Jordan and seeing visions of championships in their heads. D-Rose himself would say he’s no Jordan, but he’s playing beyond his years — on the road no less. Can he do it again? Let’s see how “like Mike” Rose played in Game 2 on Monday in Boston.
First quarter
PLAY: At 11:05, Rose takes his first shot — and misses.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan never missed a shot in the playoffs, did he? At least, we can’t remember one.
PLAY: At 10:49, he tries to make up for his missed shot with a defensive stop, but he fouls Rajon Rondo.
LIKE MIKE? The refs never called Jordan for a foul.
PLAY: Rose heads to the bench 2 minutes later after picking up his second foul. He doesn’t return this quarter.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan didn’t sit much — especially in the playoffs.
Second quarter
PLAY: Rose heaves up a brick at 10:37. It was so bad, it seemed as if the backboard would shatter.
LIKE MIKE? OK, we were exaggerating earlier. Jordan missed playoff shots, but he never bricked them.
PLAY: Rose throws a no-look pass to Lindsey Hunter, who then passes to Brad Miller for a 3-pointer and the lead.
LIKE MIKE? That’s what we’re talking about — a pass even Jordan could be proud of.
PLAY: On a knifing drive to the hoop, Rose scores his first points with 7:15 left in the half.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan often saved his best for last, but he never waited that long to start scoring.
PLAY: Rose stops red-hot Rondo on a drive to the hoop.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan didn’t win that defensive player of the year award for nothing.
PLAYS: In the span of 58 seconds, Rose threads a pass through the lane for an alley-oop to Joakim Noah, hits a fadeaway jumper and flips the ball to Miller for a jumper.
LIKE MIKE? Reminds us how Jordan used to take over games.
Third quarter
PLAYS: Rose turns the ball over on successive possessions near the halfway point of the third.
LIKE MIKE? Uhh, not so much.
PLAYS: Ben Gordon nails two 3’s in a row with assists from Rose.
LIKE MIKE? Remember those Jordan-to-Steve Kerr connections? Good times.
PLAYS: Rose misses a point-blank layup with just more than three minutes left in the quarter.
LIKE MIKE? No one should miss those shots.
Fourth quarter
PLAY: Rose gives the Bulls the lead at 93-92 with a layup with 8:25 left in the game.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan used to smell blood in the water too — and pounce.
PLAY: With 6:32 left, Rose faces Paul Pierce with a block of his jump shot.
LIKE MIKE? Rose is proving to be an all-around player just like His Airness. Too bad Rose followed up his great play with a turnover. D’oh.
PLAYS: Rose hits a layup, then dishes to Gordon on two straight possessions for 3-pointers and a five-point lead with 3:13 left.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan was king in crunch time, too.
PLAYS: Or should we say, lack of plays. When the game was on the line, Rose didn’t touch the ball.
LIKE MIKE? Jordan wanted the ball every time down the court as the game wound down.
