A History of the TNT Bulls
Game 4: Taking down the champs
Basketball-Reference box score.
And just like that, #TheReturn is postponed. 10 days before this chapter of the streak, Derrick Rose was ruled out for the season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Since then, Chicago had lost four out of five games and was caught in a serious downward spiral. The malaise of losing Rose again was inescapable; it was lurking behind every stagnant possession, every losing score. Meanwhile, the reigning Miami Heat had just ripped off a ten game winning streak before losing to the Detroit Pistons in their previous game. The champs had rocketed to a 14-4 record, and LeBron James was at the height of his powers.
What followed was what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object that’s being filmed in the United Center and broadcast on TNT.
More from Pippen Ain't Easy
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know
The Bulls absolutely trounced the Heat, leading by as many as 25 in the second half and never leading by fewer than double digits after halftime. Carlos Boozer put up 27 points, Deng broke 20 for the sixth straight game and Chicago outrebounded the Heat 49-27. Miami was missing Dwyane Wade and Chris Andersen, which certainly made it easier for the Bulls to pull it out, but it’s hard to say that the Heat would have won even with those guys healthy.
After this game, the Bulls would go on to lose seven of their next eight games. Miami would win 13 of their next 16.