Bulls Blow Lead in Game 3, Noah Leaves Late With Injury
By Tim Bearden in News on May 5, 2012 2:45PM
76ers 79, Chicago 74
The frustration in Chicago is palpable as the Bulls blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter following a nasty Joakim Noah injury to fall behind in the series to the 76ers 2-1.
The first half was a tightly fought battle as both teams struggled on offense, courtesy of tough defense on both sides. There were 14 lead changes in the first two quarters and 76ers took a one point lead into halftime 40-39. But the third quarter was all Chicago and Carlos Boozer was a big part of that difference with 18 points and 10 rebounds, doubling his scoring from first two games in which he netted 9 points in each.
But midway through the third you could see the glass shatter as Noah's ankle twisted under his leg off of Andre Iguodala's foot on a fast break chance, which was followed by inappropriate cheers by the Sixers fans. Chicago cringed again as another player limped to the sidelines, but for a very different reason. This looked ugly. Even in a covered arena filled with thousands of screaming fans you could hear Noah scream as he went down grabbing his left ankle.
From the replay, it didn't look like he would return. And then he did gingerly--walking to the free throw line to finish off the foul. But it was obvious he was in no shape to play as he struggled to get back on defense. Noah made a return in the fourth to try and help his team, but couldn't continue and was sidelined for the remainder of the game. Noah was left to helplessly watch as the Bulls let a commanding lead slip through their fingers like an errant cross court pass from Kyle Korver to John Lucas III. Noah was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and in a walking boot.
It's bad enough to be down the reigning MVP Derrick Rose to a season ending ACL tear, but another injury in the postseason could be very costly to the Bulls and the Sixers made them pay the price late in the fourth with an 20-9 start to regain control of the game and the series.
The Bulls didn't roll over as Lucas buried a three late in the fourth to make it a one point game, but fouls cost the Bulls any chance of retaking the series lead. The 37 percent shooting from the field didn't help, but the Bulls held Philly to 34 percent from the field. It was the Sixers 26 for 33 from the foul line that ultimately hurt Chicago.