Bulls at 76ers
THE STORY: It is quickly becoming clear that the Chicago Bulls may not have enough offense to advance in the playoffs without Derrick Rose. The Bulls fell apart in the fourth quarter on Friday, getting outscored 28-14 in the period en route to a 79-74 loss. The Philadelphia 76ers are taking advantage of Rose’s absence by turning to their backcourt for offense. Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner have keyed the offense as the 76ers have taken back-to-back games.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE BULLS: No. 1 seed Chicago dominated Game 1 behind Rose but has been an entirely different team the past two games as their star sits with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Fellow All-Star Luol Deng has failed to step up in Rose’s place, totaling 15 points on 5-of-19 shooting over the last two games. The Bulls went 2 for 18 from the floor and missed all four of their free throw attempts in the final 9:33 on Friday, squandering a 14-point lead. Making matters worse, Joakim Noah went down with a sprained left ankle in the third quarter. He returned to the fourth but was noticeably hobbled. Noah left the arena on crutches, with his ankle in an air cast, and his status for Sunday‘s Game 4 is uncertain.
ABOUT THE 76ERS: Philadelphia is firmly in control of the series at this point, ready to grab a commanding 3-1 lead at home on Sunday. Holiday and Turner have been the key the last two games, averaging a combined 39 points. Spencer Hawes stepped up with 21 points and nine rebounds in Game 3 and Lou Williams has picked up his pace off the bench in the two wins. Coach Doug Collins made a switch to his lineup after Game 1, inserting Hawes and Turner into the starting five. Those moves, combined with an injury-weakened opponent, have sparked the 76ers on offense.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The 74 points on Friday were the fewest ever allowed by Philadelphia in the postseason.
2. The Bulls went 6 for 24 from the field in the fourth quarter of Game 3.
3. 76ers F Andre Iguodala has played through an Achilles injury in the series and slumped to five points on 2-of-9 shooting Friday.