Chicago Bulls lose Derrick Rose to torn ACL in opening playoff victory

BY Associated Press
Sunday, April 29, 2012
4/29/12 at 5:52 AM

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Thunder's savior Original Print Headline: Bulls win, but lose Rose to torn ACL

Derrick Rose crumbled to the floor, clutching his left knee. His season is over and the Bulls' title hopes just might be finished, too.

Rose will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee late in Chicago's 103-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday's playoff opener, casting big cloud over a team eyeing a championship run.

He scored 23 points and played more like the league's reigning MVP after missing 27 games because of injuries during the regular season, but his injury-plagued season came to an end as the Bulls were wrapping up an impressive victory.

Rose crumbled to the ground after he drove the lane with about 1:20 left and the Bulls leading by 12. He was going for a layup when he came to a jump-stop and seemed to change his mind as the 76ers' Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen rotated over, passing off to a teammate before an awkward landing.

Team medical personnel immediately rushed out and tended to Rose for several minutes as he was writhing in pain near the baseline before helping him to the locker room.

Whether Rose should have been in the game at that point figures to be debated for a long time around Chicago. He checked back in with just under eight minutes left and the lead got as high as 20 shortly after that before the Sixers chipped away at it.

Magic shocks Pacers: Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson scored 17 points apiece to help sixth-seeded Orlando, playing without Dwight Howard, surprise the third-seeded Indiana Pacers 81-77 in Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series in Indianapolis.

Howard, the Magic's leading scorer and the league's top rebounder, will miss the rest of the season after having back surgery.

David West scored 19 points, Danny Granger added 17 and Roy Hibbert had eight points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks for the Pacers.

James, Heat roll by Knicks: LeBron James took the fourth quarter off. And Miami's postseason got off to a flying start.

James scored 32 points after shooting 10 for 14 from the field, Dwyane Wade added 19 points in his first game back after dislocating his left index finger and the Heat rode the strength of a 32-2 run to easily beat the New York Knicks 100-67 in Miami in Game 1 of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series.

Mario Chalmers added 11 points and nine assists for Miami, which turned 27 New York turnovers.

Associated Images:

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose is helped off the court after tearing his ACL during the fourth quarter Saturday. He will miss the rest of the playoffs. NAM Y. HUH / Associated Press