I rarely think that the Bulls will lose a game, but felt it last night. It wasn't the deficit. They have overcome more than 19, but they just kept making mistake after mistake and couldn't score more than 2 in a row. The Hawks also didn't play particularly well and gave the Bulls plenty of opportunities to beat them, but there were no lead changes. Officiating was terrible as the refs had the Hawks back fromthe start of the game to the final minutes of the 4th. Atlanta kept a comfortable 9-point lead for most of the game. They held the Bulls to just 26 at the half. Entering the 4th quarter, there was still a 14-point deficit andthe Hawks were matching any Bulls run. All of a sudden, Deng and Rose woke up and made play after play. Asik provided a spark as Noah was taken out of the game with foul trouble.
Deng made a bunch of clutch free throws to bring the Bulls within striking distance. Rose made a clutch layup after Teague missed 2 FTs on the other side to take the lead. Horford tied the game again. The game winner was unexpected. Deng inbounded to Noah. All of the Hawks were concentrating on Rose. Noah made a fake hand-off to Rose, then gunned it to a cutting Deng for the layup and win. I don't know why more teams do that. The star doesn't need to take the final shot every time. It's too predictable that way.
Bulls are now 5-1, their best start since the Invincibulls of '97, who had a 12-0 streak.
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