Hawks 103, Bulls 95
Joe Johnson went off for 34 points, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range, as the visiting Atlanta Hawks shocked the top-seeded Chicago Bulls 103-95 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday.
Jamal Crawford added 22 points off the bench, and Al Horford had 13 rebounds and nine points for the Hawks, who shot 51.3 percent from the floor, including 7-of-13 from 3-point range, against the NBA’s top defense.
Atlanta took a 10-point lead after the first quarter but could not pull away and allowed the Bulls to take the lead in the third quarter. But instead of folding on the road, the Hawks stepped up and closed the third with a 12-5 burst that was highlighted by eight points from Johnson to retake the lead 72-71 heading into the fourth.
Johnson bookended a 15-4 run to begin the final period with 3-pointers and Atlanta responded every time Chicago tried to get back into it down the stretch.
Derrick Rose managed only five points in the first half but finished with 24 on 11-of-27 shooting with 10 assists for the Bulls. Rose ended the game limping after twisting his left ankle on the final play.