Recapping the Bulls-Pacers games this season
Although the Bulls have had three relatively easy wins over the Indiana Pacers this season, the Pacers are the only Central Division team to have beaten the Bulls during their 62-win campaign. And they needed overtime to do it.
Here’s a recap of the four games they played:
Dec. 13 at Chicago
Bulls 92, Pacers 73
The Bulls won easily, but the story of this game was a nasty fall by Derrick Rose with about two minutes remaining. He drove hard to the hoop and was fouled from behind by T.J. Ford, then Brandon Rush slid underneath and sent Rose flying. The Bulls guard landed chest first after falling about four feet to the ground. He didn’t miss any games, but complained about hip, wrist and elbow pain. Carlos Boozer produced 22 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Bulls.
Jan. 14 at Indianapolis
Bulls 99, Pacers 86
Two days after losing in Charlotte, the Bulls were focused defensively and controlled this game from start to finish. The Pacers shot a miserable 32.6 percent from the field. Derrick Rose, on the other hand, knocked down 11 of 21 shots for 29 points and added 10 rebounds. Also of note for the Bulls was 18 rebounds by veteran center Kurt Thomas, his highest total since 2007.
Jan. 29 at Chicago
Bulls 110, Pacers 89
This was the second game after Derrick Rose was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. Despite steady pain and lack of food, Rose produced 20 points and 7 assists as the Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter. Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Indiana’s Josh McRoberts scored a career-high 20 points, but was posterized in the fourth quarter by Ronnie Brewer, who threw down one of the Bulls’ best dunks of the season. Pacers coach Jim O’Brien was ejected from the game, then fired the next day and replaced by assistant Frank Vogel.
March 18 at Indianapolis
Pacers 115, Bulls 108 (OT)
This was the Bulls’ only loss to a Central Division opponent all season. They were playing the second leg of back-to-back road games against a rested Pacers squad and forgot to bring the defense. Indiana led by 20 in the third quarter and was ahead by 15 with just over eight minutes remaining when Derrick Rose took over. He scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, 42 for the game and knocked down 3 free throws with 1.2 seconds on the clock to tie the score. The Bulls had nothing left for overtime, though. Rose shot a career-high 21 free throws and Taj Gibson grabbed 16 rebounds. This was a big night for Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough, who collected 29 points and 12 boards.