Joe Johnson Destroys Chicago Bulls in Atlanta Hawks Game 1 Upset in the 2011 NBA Playoffs
The Atlanta Hawks surprised the Chicago Bulls by beating them soundly on their own floor. The final may have been 103-95, but the Hawks controlled the game for the majority of the night.
The Hawks went on a 15-2 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters to go from four down to nine up with 10:27 remaining.
Joe Johnson showed Atlanta he was worth the monster contract with 34 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. He was a red-hot 5-of-5 from three-point land and was 12-of-18 overall.
ESPN Next Level goes into further detail on Johnson's increase one-on-one play:
Johnson made five field goals (one three) in isolation and drew two fouls that led to four free throws, good for 15 points in isolation. In three regular season games against the Bulls, Johnson had just 11 points in isolation.
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The Hawks ended up shooting 51 percent against a Bulls defense that was the second stingiest in the NBA.
Johnson's shooting display was extremely impressive and now the Bulls are left having to adjust how they defend him. Don't give him a inch of space on the perimeter and keep a hand in his face at all times.
Make Johnson take the ball to the basketball where he has to enter the teeth of the stout Bulls defense.
The series that looked to be the least entertaining one is now shaping up to be a great battle that will produce a thrilling Game Seven.
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