The NBA playoffs standings has the Chicago Bulls over the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1 after Derrick Rose hit the game winning shot as time expired in Game 3 to give the Bulls the 96-99 victory and now the team has the advantage heading into Game 4 after Rose scored 30 points to defeat LeBron James on Friday night.
UPDATE: The Bulls won the Game 3 matchup against the Cavaliers after Derrick Rose hit a late three-pointer.
Check here for the video of Derrick Rose hitting the shot.
from Pro Basketball Talk: https://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/08/derrick-rose-banks-home-three-at-the-buzzer-to-give-bulls-game-3-win-over-cavaliers/
The NBA playoffs standings has the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls tied at 1-1 in the eastern conference semifinals after the Cavs won Game 2 106-91 and the series now moves to Chicago for Game 3 and Game 4, while the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers series is tied at 1-1 with the next matchup coming on Friday in LA.
The Cavaliers came out strong in the first quarter against the Bulls, taking a 20-5 lead to start the game after losing the opener. The Cavs are playing without Kevin Love for the duration of the playoffs after he was injured in Game 4 against the Celtics and they needed a win here to even things up at 1-1 with the Bulls. The Cavs lost a game at home and they were able to bounce back after a strong performance from LeBron James.
James had a very good performance with 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists and that came after he previously hit only nine shots and had 19 points with 15 rebounds in Game 1. Jimmy Butler had 18 points against the Cavs and Derrick Rose added 14 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists in the loss after both players shined in the first game. Rose had 25 points in that matchup and now Rose will try and get things going to take a 2-1 lead when the series moves to the United Center.
The Cavs opened the game leading 38-18 in the first quarter and they were able to stay up for the duration of the game and now the series is evened up. James said that the team needed to come together while dealing with numerous injuries and after the game he praised his teammates for the way they played. Matthew Dellavedova led the Cavs in assists with 10 and Rose ended up not even getting to the free throw line.
ESPN stats reports that Rose did not go to the line in Game 2 and that makes it three games that he has not taken a free throw. The Bulls and Cavs will pick things up on Friday and now the games are all coming with one day off in between, which could make things tough for Rose. James has been down to the Bulls 1-0 before and after that his teams usually lock in and win the series and now he will try and get another win on Friday night. The Clippers came out and played well against the Rockets in Game 2, but they lost and now the series is 1-1.
The team was playing with house money with the win in Houston in Game 1 and Chris Paul stayed out for the second matchup as well. Blake Griffin had a huge game with 34 points and 15 rebounds, but it wasn't enough for the Clippers. James Harden added 32 points and seven assists, while Dwight Howard had 16 rebounds to get the victory. The Game 3 matchup is crucial, as the Clippers can take home court advantage away from the Rockets with a win.
Check here for the NBA playoffs standings. And for the playoffs schedule and results.