The Chicago Bulls pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the playoffs by winning Game 1 against the Miami Heat on the road on Monday and the team could be ready for more if its gets point guard Derrick Rose back from injury.
Rose said that it was possible he could return for the playoffs and the series against the Heat would make things even more intriguing, as the team now has a 1-0 series advantage after a hard fought victory against Miami. Jimmy Butler was stellar while playing 48 minutes and scoring 21 points, while Miami was off its game to start the series after defeating the Bucks easily in four games.
LeBron James started off slowly before finishing with 24 points, the Heat were not able to overtake the Bulls and now are in a near must-win situation in Game 2. The Bulls have been ailing all playoffs without Rose and the team has also been without Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich over the past few games. The Bulls came back from seven points down to win the game and if they can get Rose back in the lineup, the team could be very dangerous. Rose will need some time to get back to full speed once he starts playing, but if he is healthy it could be the exact thing the Bulls need to win.
Dwyane Wade will be back for the Heat after dealing with a knee injury and his presence will be a major factor in giving the Heat a boost. Butler has been one of the best players in the series so far and he has done a good job with extra minutes due to the injuries of Rose and others. Despite being the most dominant team in the NBA this season, the Heat suffered from what their fans had feared after seven full days of rest - rustiness.
"I like the mental toughness of this team," said Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was also unable to call on the services of injured Kirk Henrich and long-term absentee Derrick Rose. Nate Robinson top scored for the Bulls with 27 points and the former New York Knicks and Boston Celtics guard said there was a unique team spirit to the current Chicago team.
Although James stepped it up after the break, finishing with 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, Butler inspired the Bulls to a fourth quarter rally as they roared back from a seven-point deficit to grab the early advantage in the best-of-seven series.
