Rose leads Bulls past Pacers for 3-0 lead

CASPER

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INDIANAPOLIS – Derrick Rose struggled all game long, but still found a way to be the difference-maker in the end.

Rose scored 23 points, including the go-ahead layup with 17.8 seconds left, to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 88-84 on Thursday night and take a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.

Rose's late basket was his only field goal in the second half. He made just 4 of 18 shots as he was blanketed, and at times pummeled, by Indiana's Paul George and Dahntay Jones. He made up for it by making 13 of 15 free throws. Rose averaged 37.5 points in the first two games of the series.

Luol Deng had 21 points and Kyle Korver added 12 for the Bulls.

Indiana's Danny Granger had a chance to win it at the end, but he missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds. He led the Pacers with 21 points.

Rose, guarded by Jones, drove left for a layup with 17.8 seconds remaining to give the Bulls an 86-84 lead and spark "MVP!" chants from the thousands of Bulls fans who made the 3-hour drive.

The Pacers went for the win, but Granger's 3-pointer was off, and Chicago's Ronnie Brewer rebounded. He was fouled, then made two free throws with 1.1 seconds left to put the game out of reach.
 
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