Derick Rose’s 23 points and 9 assists lead the number one seeded Chicago Bulls to a 103-91 win over the eighth seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
Rose was taken to the hospital after the game to get an MRI on his left knee, results revealed it was a torn right ACL.
Driving to the basket the reigning NBA MVP seemed to have twisted his left knee as he left the floor for a shot. In mid air you could see he did something to that knee and he then passed the ball off to Carlos Boozer before slowly falling to the court floor.
Rose missed 27 regular season games this year. Chicago went 19-8 without their star point guard but the playoffs are a different beast.
This injury changes the landscape of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Many people are questioning why Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau kept Rose in the game so late.
“I don’t work backward like you guys do,” Thibodeau said. “The score was going the other way.”
Second year Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins defended Thibodeau decision to keep Rose on the floor.
“He knows what he’s doing coaching his team,” Collins said. “Thibs is my buddy. I have the ultimate respect for him. From his standpoint, he wanted to finish that game for what he did. It’s awful that Derrick got hurt.”
The Philadelphia 76ers were one of the best statistical defensive teams in the NBA this year but on Saturday they allowed the Bulls to shoot 51% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc.
Elton Brand led the 76ers with 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Luol Deng scored 17 points followed by Joakim Noah’s 12 points and 13 rebounds.
First year guard Richard Hamilton showed showed why the Bulls aquifer him. The veteran scored 19 points on 6 for 7 shooting from the field.
For the Bulls to have a shot at reaching the NBA Finals they must come together, play tremendous defense and have everyone contribute.
Game two is Tuesday in Chicago, tip off set for 8pm.
