Bulls Vs. Pacers, Game 4: Indiana Survives Furious Chicago Rally To Hold On, 89-84

A late 13-1 Chicago run erased a sizable Indiana lead and made things interesting once again down the stretch between these two teams. Chicago had a chance to tie with just 14 seconds off but a Carlos Boozer three-point attempt missed short and Danny Granger iced the game at the other end with two free throws giving the Pacers an 89-84 win.

Granger led Indiana with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Roy Hibbert had 16 and 10. The Bulls were led by Joakim Noah’s 21 points and 14 boards. Carlos Boozer had 15 and 13 while Derrick Rose tallied 15 points and 10 assists.

Chicago was able to cut into the Indiana’s halftime lead but they still trail by a 67-56 score. The Pacers defense has been good particularly on Derrick Rose who has 10 points but is just 4-16 from the field and has only attempted two free throws thus far. Danny Granger is leading the way with 16 points and eight rebounds while Roy Hibbert has 12 points and seven boards.

Joakim Noah leads Chicago with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Carlos Boozer has 11 and eight respectively.

The Indiana Pacers turned up the defense in the first half to capture a commanding 49-33 lead over the Chicago Bulls. Danny Granger and Paul George each scored nine points for the Pacers. The Indiana defense turned up the pressure, forcing the Bulls into 11 first half turnovers which led to 18 points by the Pacers.

Derrick Rose injured his ankle late in the first quarter, but returned to the game in the second. He leads the Bulls with 10 points at the half. Joakim Noah has nine points while Carlos Boozer added seven, but Boozer is once again in foul trouble with three in the first half.

All of Chicago was no doubt holding its breath as Derrick Rose limped to the bench gingerly on a twisted ankle that he suffered on a drive to the basket late in the first quarter. Rose went to the locker room but returned to the Chicago bench shortly before the quarter ended. His status for the remainder of the game is unknown. Before getting hurt, Rose scored seven points to lead the Bulls who trail the Pacers 23-19 after one.

The Pacers jumped out to a good start led by the inspiring play of rookie Paul George, who scored seven points to lead Indiana. Danny Granger has five while Tyler Hansbrough has four.

Rose has led the Bulls to victory in tight contests three straight times, taking over the down the stretch and watching the often rudderless Pacers float around aimlessly. Rose’s own rudder is sometimes crooked -- he’s shooting 38 percent from the field in the series, after all -- but there’s no denying its truth in the closing minutes.

But it just hasn’t all added up, and the Bulls can be the first team to advance to second round. Be sure to see our Bulls vs. Pacers hub. For more on the Pacers, visit Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana. For more on the Bulls, visit Blog-a-Bull and SB Nation Chicago.