Still no trips to foul line for Bulls' Rose
CLEVELAND - Through two games of this series, there hasn't been a big difference in free-throw attempts. The Cavaliers have 48 and the Bulls 41.
But there couldn't be a bigger difference in the two point guards. Cleveland's Kyrie Irving is 19-for-21 at the foul line so far in the series. Derrick Rose is 0-for-0.
Asked why Rose isn't getting to the line, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau took a long pause before answering.
"I guess he's got to go harder, I don't know," Thibodeau said. "It looks like there's a lot of contact to me. Obviously, others don't see it that way."
For his part, Rose brushed off the lack of free throws. He has had a high number of assists in the series but has been fairly aggressive at driving toward the basket.
"I can't think about it. I don't want to even talk about it," Rose said after Game 2. "If they're not calling it, they're just not calling it. I can't be worried about it."
Rose isn't the only player on the Bulls with issues at the foul line. After missing 2 free throws early in Game 2, Joakim Noah is now 1-for-14 at the line during the playoffs.
Butler is most improved:
Expect Jimmy Butler to be named winner of the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, most likely on Thursday. If that's the case, Butler could accept the award before Friday's Game 3 at the United Center.
Butler went from averaging 13.1 points and shooting 39.7 percent from the field last season, to 20.0 and 46.2 percent this year. Butler also increased his rebounds, assists, 3-point accuracy and free-throw percentage.
Asked about the award after Wednesday's game, Butler gave it a low priority.
"Right now (it means) nothing," he said. "I'm focused on helping this team win, and if we don't get to 4 wins in this series, that award's good for nothing. … I want to win the series. I want to win the championship.
"At the end of the season, maybe that Most Improved Player Award will mean a lot more."
Butler will be the first Bulls player to win Most Improved Player, which began in 1985-86. Current Bull Aaron Brooks won the award in 2009-10 when he played for Houston.
Rose credits Bucks:
Before facing the Cavaliers on Wednesday, Derrick Rose paid a compliment to the Bulls' first-round opponent, Milwaukee.
Rose was talking about all the time he spent studying game film while he was sidelined by knee injuries. He was asked if the film work helped create nights like Monday, when he was recognizing double-teams and hitting open teammates.
"It was just playing in that first series," Rose said. "Our first series was hard. You're playing against a young, talented team when they've got length on their side. They've got a good coach and they believe in their system and they believe they can really beat us.
"So I think that series helped us out a lot just with coming in here, playing in a crazy environment and being under control."
Cavs switch lineup:
As expected, the Cavaliers adjusted their starting lineup in Game 2, using power forward Tristan Thompson instead of shooting guard Mike Miller.
The decision to start two guards, Miller and Iman Shumpert, in Game 1 for the injured Kevin Love and suspended J.R. Smith was a failure on the scoreboard. The Cavs fell behind early 21-7 on Monday.
Wednesday's game was just the opposite. Cleveland led by as many as 22 points in the first quarter.
Bull horns:
The Bulls came close to setting a franchise playoff record for most points allowed in a quarter when they gave up 38 in the first Wednesday. The record is 40 points allowed, against Atlanta in 1970. … Injured Cavs forward Kevin Love sat on the bench during Game 2. He was absent for the series opener. …
Cavs forward Kendrick Perkins got a technical foul in the second quarter for elbowing Pau Gasol. … Monday's Game 1 was the 85th home playoff game for LeBron James in his NBA career and the first time his team never held a lead.