The Chicago Bulls advanced to their first NBA playoff semi-finals in 13 years as league MVP Derrick Rose scored 19 points in a 93-73 rout of the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. Rose, who has been averaging 30 points a game in the playoffs, also had 12 assists and Carlos Boozer had 23 points for the Bulls who won the best-of-seven series four games to two.
“It’s not surprising me at all, where we’re at right now,” said Rose, who was chosen as a first-team all-star earlier in the day. “We know that we have something special in front of us. “If anything, our defence won this game.” By winning in six games, Chicago has reached their first Eastern Conference final since 1998, when the Michael Jordan-led Bulls were en route to a second three-peat. The Bulls advance to play the Miami Heat with the winner earning a spot in the NBA finals.
The first game is set for Sunday in Chicago. “When we showed up for training camp, we knew we could be special,” Rose said. “We were ready to put in the work and not be concerned with statistics. We just were concerned with winning each night.” Luol Deng scored 13 points and Joakim Noah finished with 11 and three blocked shots for the Bulls. Boozer, who has had trouble with a toe injury, went 10-of-16 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists.
“What goes underrated about them is the depth of their team,” said Atlanta’s Al Horford. “They just wear on you. They just kept coming, kept coming every game. It seemed like their starters were fresh.” Chicago came out quickly, led by 10 points heading into the second quarter and never trailed in the contest. Joe Johnson scored 19 points and Josh Smith was the only other player in double figures with 18 for Atlanta who went a dismal one-of-11 from the three point line.
