The Chicago Bulls played great team defense, throttling Lebron James and Dwayane Wade in the 2nd half and coasted to a 103-82 victory in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Chicago.
The Bulls held the Heat to 15 points in the 3rd quarter as they went on a decisive run to lead by 9 points starting the 4th quarter. Chicago didn't let up as it played terrific defense, hit open 3-point shots, out-rebounded and out-assisted and plain outplayed Miami to pull away with a key win in the 1st game. This may be a long series, but the Bulls won the first game and look to go up 2-0 on Wednesday.
It starts with the defense. In a league where flashy scoring is revered, the Bulls thrive on not letting the other team score a bucket. The team seems to enjoy hauling in a rebound, throwing an offense out of sync, making a steal or forcing a turnover and converting that to points. That wears on an opponent. The Bulls play stifling defense, and leave the other team, drawn and defeated. Dwyane Wade walked off the court a tired, and beaten player.
You have to be on guard all the time, or else you will fumble the ball into the defense. Much like the vaunted Bears defense of '85. When they are on, like Sunday nite, the Bulls will grind you up. A tie game suddenly becomes a 5 point Chicago lead, then goes to 8 points. In a blink, it's 11 on a 3 point shot by C.J. Watson, and the Bulls are off--they don't have the glitz of Miami. They do have the grit of the old Chicago Stockyards. The Bulls made the United Center roar in delight to it's elevated play.
