CHICAGO – The Chicago Bulls are not the defensive team they once were. They’re also not the offensive team they once were. The Bulls can shoot now.
Chicago downed the defensive-minded Milwaukee Bucks 103-91 in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, in what was a surprisingly potent offensive affair. The Bulls, who ranked second in defensive efficiency last season, managed 60 first half points while this year’s No. 2 defensive outfit from Milwaukee added 51 of its own. The Bulls prevailed in the second half, however, behind a surprisingly potent three-point touch from Derrick Rose, who finished with 23 points and seven assists despite playing just 27 minutes.