Break up the Chicago Bulls!  48 hours after an inspiring Game 7 road win in Brooklyn, the severely short-handed Bulls caught the Miami Heat napping on their home floor and pulled out a shocking 93-86 victory.  Nate Robinson, as has become customary during these playoffs, led the fourth-quarter charge.  Chicago outscored Miami 35-24, including a 10-0 run to end the game (the last seven from Robinson).  The Heat have now gone 41-3 over their last 44 games, however, two of those losses, were against the Bulls.

How did they do it?

The Bulls, despite missing Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, Richard Hamilton, and Luol Deng, were still able to dominate the paint.  Chicago out-rebounded the league’s worst rebounding squad, 46-32, while they also scored more in the paint (40-32).  Tom Thibodeau’s suffocating defense also limited the league’s #1 shooting team (in terms of FG%), to sub-40% shooting.

Yes, but HOW?!?

In all honesty, I’m in awe of how Thibodeau is able to get his team to play to their fullest capabilities.  With Marquis Teague, Nazr Mohammed, and Daequan Cook providing 16 minutes combined, the Bulls basically had a six-man rotation.  Jimmy Butler played all 48 minutes (for the third consecutive game!), pitching in with 21 points and 14 boards.

What does this mean?

During the LeBron/Wade/Bosh era, the Heat have lost Game One twice.  In both instances, Miami came back to sweep the next four (2011 Conference Finals vs. Bulls; 2012 NBA Finals vs. Thunder).  For the Bulls, they not only wrestled home court away from the Heat, they are still holding on to their slim hopes of Rose returning.

Looking Ahead

The Bulls had almost everything go their way, and yet, the Heat were still in prime position to win the series opener.  Look for Chicago to try and get Carlos Boozer more involved.  When the Bulls ended the Heat’s 27-game winning streak, Boozer amassed 21 points and 17 boards (last night he was only able to score 6 points on 3-11 shooting).  For Miami, they’ll need a better performance out of Ray Allen, who was a game-worst -16, while only contributing nine points.

Jay Rosales is a staff writer for Sir Charles In Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @Rosalesaurus 

The Miami Heat continue their title defense against the injury-riddled, yet highly resourceful, Chicago Bulls.  Miami’s had the luxury of affording their veterans some extra rest after sweeping the Bucks last week, then watching along as the Nets took Chicago to seven games.

Rest vs. Rust

One of the many interesting storylines to watch will be how Miami will look in game one.  Over the last 10 seasons, 13 teams have had at least a week off between playoff games, with nine being victorious.  Of the four losing teams include the ’08-’09 LeBron-led Cavaliers, who ended up losing to the Magic in six.  Another one of the four losing teams was Dwyane Wade’s ’04-’05 Heat squad that ended up losing to the Pistons in seven.

Season Series

While the teams split the season series, Chicago’s victories made much larger statements.  On January 4^th, the teams’ first matchup of the season, Chicago handed Miami only their third home loss of the season.  The Heat would go on to win 17 consecutive home games before falling to the Knicks (on April 4, when Miami already had home court advantage locked up).  Of much more significance was Chicago’s victory on March 27^th, where the Bulls put an end to the second-largest win streak in NBA history (27!!).

Tom Thibodeau’s Defense

Tom Thibodeau’s been a thorn in LeBron James’ side since he was an Assistant Coach with Boston.  The Celtics’ defense punished and harassed James right out of Cleveland!  This year’s been no different, even with his MVP, Derrick Rose, missing the entire season.  Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler have done an outstanding job of containing James and Wade.  Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson both got under the skin of James, causing him receive a flagrant foul during Chicago’s historic victory on March.  “Those are not basketball plays……it is getting to me a little bit,” said James, post-game.

Rose: Will He or Won’t He?

The question that’s been hanging over everyone’s head is whether or not Derrick Rose will suit up this season.  He was scheduled to return after the All-Star break, but still hasn’t.  While he’s been travelling with the team and participating in practices, the possibility of a return is looking gloomier with every passing day that Chicago trots out Marquis Teague!  Even if he were to return, his effectiveness would likely be at or near the bottom of all our expectations.

Prediction

Miami has had a week to rest and game plan for Round 2.  Chicago, on the other hand, will be working off of two days rest PLUS start the round with injuries to Rose, Deng, Joakim Noah, and Hinrich (all starters!).  In order to pull out the upset, the Bulls will need to rotate or switch frequently to disrupt the league’s 2nd-ranked offense.  Chicago ranks 5th in opponents’ 3-pt FG%, while Miami ranks 2nd in 3-pt FG%.  Also, the Bulls rank 1st in assists allowed, while the Heat rank 7th in assists per game.  For Miami, they live and die through their MVP, LeBron James.  He must be licking his chops to face a Chicago team that’s just been ravaged my injury.  I anticipate Thibodeau will not go quietly into the night, but it won’t be enough to pull off the upset – Miami in 5.

Jay Rosales is a staff writer for Sir Charles In Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @Rosalesaurus