Though they played six times during the regular season, the Bulls and Pacers learned plenty about each other during Saturday's game. Chicago learned about Indiana's physicality, while the Pacers learned that Derrick Rose does not go away. Ever.
Indiana's Danny Granger even compared Rose to the girlfriend you can't quite get rid of, even when you give her all her stuff back, and tell her that you moved on and you hope she does the same:
Granger may want to reconsider his dating life, but the comparison is a good one. Rose struggled for much of game one, but just when the Pacers thought they had the game in the bag, the Bulls went on a 16-1 run in the final 3:38. Seven of those points came from Rose.
Rose was the main target of the Pacers' defense, as they did everything but pants him to keep Rose from going to the rim. He had 21 free throw attempts, making 19, but paid for every one of those shots. Tyler Hansborough led the charge in using his size and strength in knocking Rose around.
But as Granger pointed out, that didn't stop Rose.
That means that it might be a long series for Rose, but one that will end with the Bulls moving on and the Pacers packing up their lockers. Hopefully, no one will find a bunny boiling on their kitchen stove.
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(You can usually find Maggie Hendricks over at our Grizzly Detail blog, but she's pulling double-duty for the Bulls.)