For the Chicago Bulls, today’s performance was worth the wait. Chicago spent all season looking forward to a playoff rematch against the Orlando Magic, the team that eliminated the Bulls last year in the second round. This year’s ECF is Chicago’s chance for revenge. And in Game 1, revenge was both sweet and spectacular. Playing a magnificent game with passion and precision, the Bulls embarrassed Orlando, 121-83, to open the four-of-seven-game series at the United Center. It was a loss that could have disastrous consequences for the Magic, because Horace Grant suffered a hyperextended left elbow in the third quarter when he collided with his teammate Shaquille O’Neal. X-rays taken of Grant’s elbow were negative, but he left the arena in pain and he was listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s Game 2 in Orlando. If Grant cannot play, Orlando will have even more difficulty matching up with Chicago’s frontline. And even before Grant left today’s game, this was a thorough beating from the start, and Orlando was on the receiving end of the spanking. The Bulls outrebounded the Magic by an incredible 62-28 margin. Chicago opened the game with such emotion, Orlando looked like a boxer who had been stunned early, and the Magic never got off the ropes. Two minutes into the game, Chicago led, 10-0, and Michael Jordan had yet to take a shot. It was only a sign of things to come. There was no need for Jordan (21 points on 9-for-17 shooting, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) to carry the offense …
Video Rating: 4 / 5