Bulls vs. Pacers: Who has the edge?

By Mike McGraw

mmcgraw@dailyherald.com

While Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau’s playoff scouting report on Indiana is as thick as the team’s playbook, here’s a more concise breakdown of how the Bulls compare to the Pacers:

Star power

This one should be obvious. Derrick Rose is the league’s MVP and has been terrific down the stretch of close games, both as a scorer and passer. He scored 42 against Indiana in a March 18 overtime loss. Pacers forward Danny Granger is a former all-star fighting a tendency to become a one-dimensional outside shooter. More consistent defense and team play are frequently mentioned as needed improvements.

Edge: Bulls

Defense

The Pacers didn’t play a whole lot of this during Jim O’Brien’s coaching tenure, but improved slightly since Frank Vogel took over. Indiana ranks 17th in points allowed (100.9), but a respectable seventh in defensive field-goal percentage (.449). They’re also a decent shot-blocking team, led by center Roy Hibbert at 1.8 per game. The Bulls are first in defensive field-goal percentage (.430) and second behind Boston in points allowed (91.3).

Edge: Bulls

Outside shooting

The Bulls actually have a slight edge in 3-point percentage as a team, .361 to .355. The Pacers attempt 20 per game, compared to 17 for the Bulls. Indiana does have two players shooting above 40 percent from behind the arc, Mike Dunleavy and Brandon Rush. The Bulls have one, Kyle Korver.

Edge: Pacers

Rebounds

The Bulls rank first in rebound percentage and second in total rebounds. They have two players averaging close to 10 per game (Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer), then bring two guys off the bench who rank high in rebounds per 48 minutes (Omer Asik, Taj Gibson). Roy Hibbert at 7.5 boards per game is as good as it gets on the Pacers.

Edge: Bulls

Ball control

While getting point guard Darren Collison from the Hornets last summer played a huge part in the Pacers’ improvement, Indiana ranks low in assists per game (28th) and high in turnovers (4th).

Edge: Bulls

Bench

The Bulls’ bench has been fantastic, but the Pacers’ depth improved when Tyler Hansbrough and rookie Paul George joined the starting lineup. Indiana brings former starters Mike Dunleavy and Brandon Rush off the bench, along with a couple of big rebounders in Josh McRoberts and Jeff Foster. A.J. Price has been getting more point guard minutes than T.J. Ford lately.

Edge: Even

Coaching

Indiana’s Frank Vogel is similar to Tom Thibodeau in that neither was much of a player. Vogel transferred from Juniata College to Kentucky in hopes of learning from Rick Pitino and that gamble eventually paid off in a spot on Pitino’s staff in Boston. But Vogel can’t match Thibodeau’s 20 years of NBA experience or his two recent trips to the Finals with the Celtics.

Edge: Bulls

McGraw’s prediction: Bulls in five games