Let's ignore how the Cavaliers got a free timeout right before the winning shot so the officials could determine how much time is left. Let's also ignore how David Blatt almost called a timeout he didn't have right before that, which could have given the Bulls free throws and possession. Those are all excuses.
The reality is the Bulls' inconsistent offense came back to bite them once again. Cleveland scored 16 unanswered points in the second quarter to make what had been an eight-point Bulls lead one of their own. The Bulls led by 11 late in the third quarter and seven going into the fourth. They hit a wall once again and the Cavaliers were only happy to take advantage.
It didn't help that Pau Gasol was out of the lineup with a strained hamstring. Perhaps he could have made the difference. Then, you remember how the Bulls seemed to be doing just fine without him for much of the game. Gasol or no Gasol, this team couldn't seal the deal.
This is one you can't blame Rose for, try as some of you might. He led all scorers with 31 points and took a charge from James, who twisted his ankle on the play. As we've expected for a long time, his play lifts the Bulls to new heights. But basketball is a team sport and most of the time, you need your supporting cast to step in.
The biggest culprit on offense was compliments of the Bulls' bigs. Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy, Joakim Noah and Nikola Mirotic shot a combined 8-for-35 from the field (22.9 percent). Whether they couldn't find their games or the Cavaliers' defense was forcing the issue, a group effort like that is inexcusable. Rose and Jimmy Butler can't do all the scoring, so you need to play smart and play well.
At this point in the season, we shouldn't be questioning which Bulls team is going to show up. It's not good if we still have to guess whether the dominant Bulls or the feast-or-famine Bulls are going to show up. You don't get to the Finals by defining yourself as having a split personality. Teams with better talent and terrific execution will make you pay.
It's a best-of-3 series now, but the Bulls have lost the home-court advantage they stole. Having to win one more game in Cleveland was never going to be easy and now, they're faced with it. The Cavaliers simply don't go down easily at home, especially when they have the best player in the world on their side. It's cliche to say the Bulls are walking into a lion's den, but that's the best way to put it.
Game 5 on Tuesday is critical. Historically, the Bulls have never lost the tiebreaker in a 2-2 series and gone on to win it. If anybody goes into that game not 110 percent ready, Tom Thibodeau needs to stick them on the bench and keep them there. Where the franchise goes from here could hinge on the game's outcome.
It's absolutely amazing how one shot can change the complexion and possibly the course of a series. James played John Stockton to Rose's Eddie Johnson like in the 1997 Western Conference Finals. Now, we fans are very apprehensive going forward. But the players are professionals and their mentality is just one reason why they've gotten to this level and we're watching in the seats.
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