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Rose, Bulls build 2-0 lead over Pacers

Apr 19, 2011 - 6:49 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls continued to have their hands full with the Indiana Pacers in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, but Derrick Rose once again carried the load in Game 2 with 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists en route to a tight 96-90 victory.

Kyle Korver hit a go-ahead three-pointer during Chicago's game-ending 16-1 run in the series opener, and drained another critical three with 1:04 remaining on Monday after the Pacers cut their deficit to two.

The Bulls, who got 17 points and 16 rebounds from Carlos Boozer, sealed the victory at the free throw line and will carry a 2-0 series lead into Game 3 Thursday in Indianapolis.

"We're very happy to be [leading the series], but our play has to be better," Rose said. "I feel like we're going to get things together."

The Pacers stayed close against the top-seeded Bulls despite playing the second half without Darren Collison after the up-and-coming point guard suffered a sprained ankle. Danny Granger paced Indiana with 19 points.

Rose's three-point play gave the Bulls the lead for good, 79-78, with 5:16 remaining in regulation. Boozer then got a hook shot to fall and Rose connected on a long jumper to push the margin to five, but A.J. Price hit from long range on the Pacers' next touch.

It was still a two-point Chicago lead, 87-85, with time winding down before Joakim Noah drove the lane to free up Korver in the right corner. The sharp- shooter hit nothing but net, and Roy Hibbert was called for a questionable push-off to give the Bulls the ball back.

Following an empty possession, Rose fouled Price shooting a three with 23.4 seconds showing. The successful free throws pulled Indiana within 90-88, but Luol Deng and Ronnie Brewer each hit two free throws around Mike Dunleavy's errant three to secure the hard-fought win.

"It's discouraging because we feel like we've outplayed them for most of this series," Price said. "With that said, they did what the were supposed to do. They held their home court."

A slow start from both clubs saw an 8-8 tie midway through the opening quarter, which ended with the Pacers holding an 18-17 edge.

Offense on both ends picked up in the second, though Indiana led the whole way, going up by as many as nine, 43-34, on a Paul George three-pointer with 3:14 remaining in the half.

Chicago trimmed the deficit to 47-44 by the break, and a Rose three-pointer 3:39 into the third gave the Bulls a 52-49 advantage. The hosts continued to lead until T.J. Ford banked in a 65-footer to beat the third-quarter buzzer, improbably tying the game 67-67.

Game Notes

Both teams struggled with turnovers, as the Bulls committed 22 -- leading to 26 points the other way -- while Indiana coughed it up 18 times...Price ended with 13 points in extended minutes due to the injury to Collison, who had eight points in less than 15 minutes before turning his ankle on a cameraman's foot under the basket...Deng chipped in 14 points for the Bulls, who held a 57-33 rebounding advantage.