May 11--The Bulls' last-second, 86-84 loss Sunday to the Cavaliers knotted their Eastern Conference semifinals series at 2-2. Here are three observations.
1. The Cavaliers aren't getting healthier.
Even with Pau Gasol's availability for Tuesday's Game 5 in question, the Cavaliers are in much worse shape physically. Kyrie Irving has foot and leg issues and isn't moving well at all. Iman Shumpert is playing through a groin injury. LeBron James rolled an ankle.
Derrick Rose's composed postgame demeanor said it all. The Bulls know they still have an opportunity to win this series, James' greatness notwithstanding. For once, they are the team that is less banged up than their opponent.
2. The Bulls missed Gasol's steadying presence offensively.
With Joakim Noah playing his preferred center position, Taj Gibson getting the opportunity for extended minutes in a series that fits his skill set and Nikola Mirotic receiving a gift-wrapped chance as well, the Bulls should've handled Gasol's absence better.
They didn't.
For all the talk of the need for the Bulls to have more floor spacing or Gasol's poor pick-and-roll defense, he is a calming force offensively. In the Bulls' two long scoring droughts, the veteran could've been counted upon to stop the bleeding. Plus, Gasol's absence allowed Timofey Mozgov to have his best game of the series by far.
Rose has been sensational.
The talk of him playing poorly in the playoffs on one day's rest should be put to bed for good by now. He followed his game-winning buzzer beater in Game 3 with another 30-point game and clearly outplayed Irving.
Rose also had just two turnovers in more than 41 minutes and got to the line seven times, making that 17 attempts in his last two games.
This is a series of stars. The Bulls need their stars to play better than the Cavaliers' stars. Rose is doing his part.
