Rose, Noah Suck the Air Out of the Garden

Observers of magicial rookie Derrick Rose might have suspected he’d have one monstrous game these playoffs, mapping himself while eventually bowing at the altar of Ubuntu. But in Game 1? In Boston? Rose has killed it through a half this afternoon, with 13 points and seven assists. The Bulls have a shocking nine-point lead after 24 minutes, 53-44.
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↵More surprising than Rose’s domination -- the Bulls have compeltely controlled the pace while the point guard was in the game -- is what Joakim Noah has done to Boston’s frontcourt. Noah racked up 10 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal. With Tyrus Thomas and Brad Miller, Jo has kept Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis at bay. As Paul Pierce has struggled on offense, the Celtics have lagged.
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↵Beyond the score, Rose’s battle with Rajon Rondo has been something to behold. Rondo has gotten his offense going ... but Rose has gotten the entire Bulls offense going. If Ben Gordon can spring free and Tim Thomas can hail a cab to the airport, we might have an early upset today.↵