The Chicago Bulls are tied 1-1 with the Miami Heat after winning Game 1 and losing in a blowout in Game 2, but the possible return of Derrick Rose could be a game changer for the series and could give the Bulls what they need to win.
The Bulls have been without Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich for the series and have been forced to rely on names like Nate Robinson and Jimmy Butler, but a possible return of Rose in Game 3 could change it all. The series moves back to Chicago on Friday and while rumors say that Rose could return, his status for the game remains uncertain. According to ESPN.com, Rose's return will have to go through owner Jerry Reinsdorf and as of Thursday it was not clear he would be back.
Rose has been out since last April after tearing his ACL and he has been slow to return, although doctors have cleared him to play. The Bulls feel that they can get him back in the lineup, but so far his status is out for the Friday matchup. The return of Rose would be a mental boost for the Bulls and the team could also have someone else to use while waiting for injured players to return. Joakim Noah has been playing basically with one foot, while Robinson and Butler have been playing like starters throughout the playoffs.
Deng will still be out after dealing with a hospital stay and losing 15 pounds and the team also will be without Hinrich. The Heat know that they need to steal a game in Chicago and if the Bulls do not have Rose back, Game 3 will be a perfect opportunity to do so. Game 2 was a blowout and the team got 21 points from Ray Allen and a great game from LeBron James that could give the Heat momentum heading into Game 3.
The Warriors and Spurs are in a similar situation, as the series heads to California for Game 3 after the Spurs lost Game 2 to go 1-1 in the series. San Antonio could easily be down 2-0 after the Warriors blew a 16 point lead in Game 1 and Klay Thomson and Stephen Curry were too much to handle in Game 2.
The Spurs will need a solid game from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in Game 3 and after his theatrics in Game 1, Manu Ginobili will need to do the same.
