It’s been a long time since I felt so much excitement about the Bulls in the postseason, about nine years in fact. While the Bulls have made the postseason the last two years, they did not make it out of the first round. Today, they took a big step forward by sweeping the defending champion Miami Heat during the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Today’s 92-79 victory was not their best outing in the series. The Bulls shot only 34 percent from the field, but shot well from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, had only five turnovers and dominated defensively down the stretch to earn a meeting with the Detroit Pistons.
Watching today’s game, I could see a hunger and confidence in this Bulls’ team that I did not see last year in the playoffs. They are a more complete team, with a good, healthy balance of experience and youth. This team played with a chip on its shoulder, challenging the Heat to keep pace with them.
But did they leave everything they had on the basketball court in this series? Will they have anything left for the next series? Will they be prepared to battle the more powerful and experienced Pistons team, which won the NBA title two years ago?
The Bulls passed an important test today. The next test will begin next weekend in Detroit.
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