Shepkowski: Bulls First Home Loss A Major Letdown

By Nick Shepkowski-

(CBS) - Despite trailing by nine with just under four minutes remaining versus Indiana on Wednesday night the Bulls were able to get an open look to take the lead with 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Derrick Rose penetrated the lane like he has done so many times before and was able to kick the ball out to a wide open Brian Scalabrine for the lead but the shot went long and by the time Darren Collinsoncontrolled the rebound the Bulls were for all intents and purposes handed their first home loss of the now 20 game old season.

Rose led the Bulls with 24 points but had no regrets on his decision to pass for what would have been a go-ahead three pointer:

"I was just trusting a teammate. I think it was a good shot."

Tom Thibodeau echoed Rose's thoughts on the final play.

"We were looking for Derrick in the open floor and he made the right play. It is a make or miss league and he missed".

The Bulls were handled most of the evening by Indiana's big men as Roy Hibbert, David West and Danny Granger outscored the Bulls starting forwards and centers by a 42-29 margin.

Joakim Noah scored 10 points but was one of several Bulls who were disappointed after the loss.

"Feels like s***, we lost. You always feel like *expletive* when you lose".

There is no doubt the Bulls would have benefited had Luol Deng (wrist) and Taj Gibson (ankle) been able to play but Derrick Rose wasn't about to use that as an excuse for the loss.

"The NBA is the NBA. People are going to get injured. The guys just have to step up."

Thibodeau added that it wasn't a game that should have come down to Scalabrine's final shot and noted a lack of preparation as the reason for the loss.

"In this league you get what you deserve. We played with desperation in the fourth quarter and gave more effort but that effort has to be there from the start of the game."

When asked if anyone was prepared for the Wednesday night's game only one name came to Thibodeau's head.

"Ronnie."

Ronnie Brewer provided a much-needed spark starting in place of Luol Deng as he contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds while dishing out 5 assists.

"Brew(er) came out and played well" said Derrick Rose of Brewer's efforts. "Knocking down shots and he gave us energy playing defense, attacking, making lay-ups. He was huge for us tonight."

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel described a very satisfied Pacers locker room after the game.

"We are really excited about the win. Orlando taught us a lesson last night that you can have a tough loss and come back and learn a lesson from it."

"We're a different team than we were last year" added Vogel.

"This year we are confident we'll score in crunch time and in the fourth quarter we get stops."

The loss marked the first Bulls defeat in the United Center to the Pacers since March 22, 2008, a stretch that lasted nine games including last year's playoff series. The Pacers saw it as a reason to celebrate and Derrick Rose was one Bull who was none too pleased with their reaction.

"I'll never forget how they celebrated by winning this game" said Rose, "I just can't wait until we play them again".

"The next game we're going to be ready and they will be, too."

The Bulls have Thursday off from practice before a weekend that features a Friday night home tilt versus Milwaukee before traveling to Miami on Sunday.

Nick Shepkowski is the associate producer on the McNeil and Spiegel Show, weekdays 9a-1p on 670 The Score while covering the Bulls for 670thescore.com.  You can follow Nick on Twitter @Shep670.