Bulls’ game vs. Heat likely preview of things to come
BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com January 28, 2012 7:08PM
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) scores around Milwaukee Bucks small forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) at the United Center on Friday, January 27, 2012. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
TOday
BULLS AT HEAT
The facts: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 7, 1000-AM.
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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:29AM
The last thing anyone should do is doubt Bulls star Derrick Rose’s sincerity. So when he says the game Sunday against the Miami Heat is no more than the next one on the schedule, he means it.
But there’s also no disputing Bulls-Heat has become the NBA’s trendiest rivalry. They are the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and it likely will feel like something more than just another game when they square off at American Airlines Arena.
The battle to establish a pecking order atop the East begins Sunday, and those who have studied both teams think the winner of their seemingly inevitable playoff series is too close to call.
‘‘Against a lot of teams in the league, you can hand [the outcome] to the Bulls or to Miami,’’ said Indiana Pacers analyst Quinn Buckner, who grew up in suburban Chicago. ‘‘But when they are facing each other, you have to get a feel for who is going to make a run, who is shooting it well. You can’t give it to either team. That’s indicative of the kind of games they will be.’’
The Bulls think they’re a better team than they were when they lost to the Heat 4-1 in the Eastern Conference finals last season. They have the experience of having made a deep playoff run, Rose has extended his shooting range and Rip Hamilton has added a dimension the Bulls didn’t have last season, although he might not play because of a bruised thigh suffered Wednesday against the Pacers.
The Heat is a different team, too. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are as motivated after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals last season as the Bulls are after falling to the Heat. And the signing of Shane Battier has added some defensive toughness and given the Heat the ability to stretch opposing defenses.
The outcome of the game Sunday might hinge on the availability of Luol Deng, who has missed the Bulls’ last three games with a torn ligament in his left wrist. If he plays, he likely would match up against Wade, who returned after missing six games with a sprained right ankle to score 28 points
Friday against the New York Knicks.
‘‘With Luol out, it makes a huge difference,’’ Buckner said. ‘‘I don’t know if people outside the organization understand how good he is. Everything he does, he does well, and he takes no credit for it. It works because Derrick is the same type of personality. They both lead by example, by being team players, by doing all aspects
really well.’’
Buckner said he thinks the second-biggest factor — Sunday and down the road — is Rose’s sprained left
big toe.
‘‘I don’t think you can underestimate this toe
injury,’’ he said. ‘‘I had them. Any athlete who plays long enough gets those. It’s going
to bother him all year, and you don’t know when it’s
going to most affect him. He’s a quick, explosive guy. It affects that.’’
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