Carlos Boozer has struggled against the Atlanta Hawks, just as he struggled against the Indiana Pacers and really for the last couple weeks of the regular season. In the NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls' big free agent signing is averaging 10 points on 38 percent shooting and 10 rebounds per game. During the regular season, he scored 17 points on 51 percent shooting. Clearly, something's wrong.
Bulls Look To Carlos Boozer For Improved Frontcourt Play Against Hawks
Injury is the culprit, as Boozer is battling turf toe. Derrick Rose, the Bulls' MVP guard, has fought injury, too, dealing with a repeating ankle sprain. Rose has been inefficient, but continues to put points on the board. Boozer? Not so much.
Hawks forward Josh Smith isn't buying the injury excuse, by the way. From CSNChicago.com's Aggrey Sam:
“At this point and time, everybody’s hurt, so you really can’t use anything as excuse. You’ve just got to play. Bottom line,” said Smith, who believes Boozer appears to be “pretty much the same” as before his recent injury.
Smith is in charge of defending Boozer as Atlanta coach Larry Drew has essentially ended Jason Collins' tour of duty now that Dwight Howard is out of the way. Collins played at least 14 minutes in six games against the Magic; he's been limited to 10 minutes total against Chicago.
Game 3 between the teams tips off at 7 p.m. ET Friday.
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