There will be no Derrick Rose in Game 3, after all that hype. Rose will continue joining Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich on the bench as all three Chicago Bulls are unavailable for the second round of the playoffs.
The Bulls could really, really use his help. Though Rose might not be 100 percent, he adds a threat to a Bulls team that is somehow scoring in the playoffs. With great help from Marco Belinelli and the always energizing Nate Robinson now leading the attack, the Bulls have been able to contest their playoff opponents.
Though Rose would make the team better, it's best that he stays away as the Bulls would fear having their point guard get injured. He's been out since the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs where the Bulls were bounced by the Philadelphia 76ers. Now in 2013, the Bulls escaped the first round against the Brooklyn Nets and played decent basketball during the regular season.
Having Rose in the lineup would have made things very interesting since the Bulls were able to beat the Heat in Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs. With Rose on the attack and opening up lanes, the Heat would have likely been in trouble. However, the best thing Coach Tom Thibodeau can do is continue sitting Rose. The Bulls saw how physical this series got in Game 2. There were over 50 fouls handed out and nine technicals in total. Not that the Heat have dirty players, but the physical battle might be too much for Rose especially with so much on the line.
Game 3 will be played in United Center, it would have been a great idea to energize the crowd with Rose's presence, but Coach Thibodeau will not take a chance. Game time is 8 p.m. ET.
