Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose was the game-winning hero on Friday night as the hosts sealed a 99-96 win in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead.
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In a thrilling encounter from start to finish that had drama, great basketball and back-and-forth action, Rose ultimately came out on top as he ended the game with 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.
Despite a slow start, the former MVP burst into life in the second half and was the hero once against the United Center as he banked in the game-winning shot to beat the clock and break Cavaliers hearts.
LeBron James led his team as always with 27 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to deny Chicago who had multiple plays down the stretch that pushed them over the line.
Jimmy Butler once again played great defence on the two-time NBA champion, while the NBA’s Most Improved Player 2015 also had 20 points and eight rebounds in another stellar performance.
Meanwhile, coach Tom Thibodeau got good production off the bench from Nikola Mirotic who added 12 points, but the Bulls will face an anxious wait after Pau Gasol picked up a hamstring strain and was unable to return after the third quarter.
Game 4 will be played in Chicago on Sunday, and it also promises to be a feisty encounter after James and Joakim Noah reignited their feud with a few choice words for one another on Friday.
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