A win is a win – especially in the playoffs.
But Derrick Rose’s game-winner against the Cleveland Cavaliers is a perfect example of a simple basketball fact: It’s a make or miss game.
The Cavaliers could have left Game 3 with a huge overtime victory if Rose’s shot had banked off the glass anywhere other than the exact spot at which it did. The Bulls could have had a much less dramatic regulation win if J.R. Smith hadn’t drilled a difficult three-pointer to tie the game at 96-96 just 10 seconds earlier. And even Cleveland could have had a much simpler triumph if LeBron James’ go-ahead layup with 23 seconds remaining had snaked through the rim as opposed to off of it.
But the ball can only bounce one way, and it happened to set the stage for Rose’s heroics on Friday night. Luck has more to do with basketball than anyone cares to think; kudos to Rose for admitting that reality in the wake of glory.
