I like trying to predict games like these because they are two high caliber teams. In the average basketball fan's mind, they either decide on a winner based off the team they like more or which one is on a hot streak. Spurs are the public favorite tonight which I'd like to dispute. When two elite teams like the Bulls and the Spurs meet, I believe statistics such as points per game and winning streaks should be omitted. However, the statistic that I believe will decide the winner tonight will be rebounds and turnovers. Joakim Noah is a tough rebounder as well as a good on the block defender, and will give Tim Duncan a tough time tonight. The Bulls are good defensively and have more options on offense now that Luol Deng and Rip Hamilton (I say this cautiously) are healthy and back in the lineup while Manu Ginobili is still injured for the Spurs. The Bulls have a deep roster with Ronnie Brewer, CJ Watson, Kyle Korver, Omer Asik and Taj Gibson which I think is significant in choosing my pick. The Spurs are far from scrubs, although I think Chicago wins this one in a close and exciting game.
Result: Despite being in two different conferences, this game reminded me of a gritty playoff game. Derrick Rose scored 29 points and led the scoring for the Bulls, while Gary Neal off the bench for the Spurs led the scoring for them. Earlier in my write up, I mentioned that statistics are irrelevant in a game like this and the Bulls and Spurs proved me right. This game went down to the wire, which is why I like trying to predict games like this. Tony Parker was spinning and weaving to the basket, and Derrick Rose was crossing over ducking arms in the air for layups. The Bulls team in total had 50 rebounds, 13 of which were offensive rebounds while the Spurs had 42 rebounds with only 10 of those being offensive. The Bulls won the rebounding, but lost in the turnovers having 15 to the Spurs' 14 turnovers. Not only did Derrick Rose show up in a game against an elite western conference team, the rest of his team did as well. Noah was hitting shots at the top of the key, CJ Watson played a great game and Luol Deng and Kyle Korver hit significant three pointers at the right time. The bench and role players are what pushed this game to a W after Derrick Rose led the way, and the Bulls are off to a 2-0 start to the second half of the season.
7-3
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