How Low Things Go

We as Bulls fans have tendencies to make our team seem better than it actually as.  Although we know the roster as constructed is not championship-caliber, we still have that hope that maybe, just maybe, they can shock the world.  However, when you're matched up with the defending champions who are well on their way to repeating and have the potential to win a couple more, you're going to get some sense knocked into you at some point.  What the Bulls received against Miami in Game 4 was a dose of reality several layers deep.  If the Heat really wanted to, they would have made it more of a blowout than 88-65.  But when your opponent sets franchise playoff lows for points in a game, field-goal percentage (25.7) and points in a quarter (nine in the third), I guess some shred of mercy is involved.

The only Bulls lead came at 2-0 on a putback layup from Carlos Boozer.  At that point, the United Center was only half full.  Whether it was due to the early start time (trust me, the 6:00 tip created some unusual Monday rush-hour traffic on the Eisenhower) or dwindled interest, you could consider that a bad omen.  By the time most fans were in their seats, the Heat had already taken control and weren't looking back.  The 11-point deficit at halftime was still manageable, even for the depleted Bulls.  When the bottom fell out in the third quarter though, it was all over.  The sad part is Miami only scored 17 of their own in that frame.  That should have kept the Bulls in it, but they only dug themselves into a deeper hole.  With 12 minutes to play, the white flag was already up.  Tom Thibodeau still had to do his pre-quarter interview with Craig Sager, which could be argued as cruel and unusual.

LeBron James was the leading scorer with 27 points and Chris Bosh had 14.  Dwyane Wade scored only six, but his services clearly weren't needed on this night.  For the Bulls, Boozer had a double-double quieter than usual at 14 and 12.  Jimmy Butler played all but 2:10 and scored 12.  Rip Hamilton, whose mere presence was a definite indicator of where this series is headed, contributed 11 and Taj Gibson added 10. 

However, all of those stat lines will be less remembered than Nate Robinson's 0-for-12 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3-point land.  He was trying to get hot like he normally does in what could only be described as an epic failure.  He pretty much killed any slim chance the Bulls had of re-signing him and showed everyone why he's the third-string point guard.  He's made some great memories during these playoffs, but if anyone wonders why you won't see him in a Bulls uniform next year, look no further than this game.

Beating the champs is usually a tough task.  In a seven-game series against them, there's going to be a sign to yourself and to all that you're just not ready for the next level.  There are times when the competition lets you know and times when you let yourself know.  In this case, it was both.  The Heat wanted to snuff out any remaining fire the Bulls had in them and did so before the game ever got physical.  That, along with the sheer will to win, has been the Bulls' best weapon against Miami this season and this game showed neither on display.  Those get extinguished easily when you're practically committing suicide by poor play.  Plus, when you're missing three key players long enough, that's going to bite you eventually.  Game 4 bit the Bulls so hard, the scars may not go away until next postseason.  Health means everything in the playoffs and the Bulls are learning that just like the Thunder without Russell Westbrook.  They're one loss away from elimination too.

If you're a masochist or aren't easily swayed by the Blackhawks bandwagon, you can watch Game 5 Wednesday in Miami.  Although the final Heat win in this series is a mere formality, the Bulls can salvage some pride by putting on a much better showing than what we just witnessed.  If they get lucky, maybe they can delay Miami's celebration for another couple of days.  Also, maybe they shouldn't take the first playoff game against the Heat in future series.  Opponents don't seem to do well after that.  Just a thought.