No Collapse This Time

While the United Center began its annual extended engagement with Disney on Ice tonight, the Bulls began their second long road trip of the season by hoping they could find a way to beat the Milwaukee Bucks.  After all, they'd been treated rudely by their guests in the two earlier meetings on the West Side.  The only way to get back at the Bucks would be to return the favor, but they'd have to hold a lead to do it.  That they did in a 104-88 victory, extending their recent string of success to five wins in their last six games.

Derrick Rose has finally been cleared for full contact, but Nate Robinson showed why he'll still be useful even when No. 1 returns.  He came off the bench to lead all scorers with 24 points and throw down his first dunk of the season to the delight of Stacey King and the many Bulls fans who had make the short trek north to the BMO Harris Bradley Center.  Not long ago, there was some speculation that the Bulls would release him to avoid paying the rest of his non-guaranteed contract.  Plus, Rose's return would make him expendable.  That's all been forgotten and he'll be here throughout the year.  Any other team would be happy to have him, so you don't want to see such a decision bite you.

Speaking of hot bench players, Jimmy Butler did it again.  Although Luol Deng was impressive in his return with 12 points and 13 rebounds, Butler shot 8-of-12 from the field to score 18 points.  He probably won't keep playing this well, but he's sure getting us excited for what he'll accomplish in the future.  It was Carlos Boozer's turn to be sidelined by a hamstring injury.  Still, that didn't stop Taj Gibson from filling in and giving it his all.  He scored 14 and finished one rebound shy of a double-double.  No worries though.  Joakim Noah picked up that slack with a 12/12 game.  Rip Hamilton rounded out the big scoring for the Bulls with 10.

You can consider this road trip the last major hurdle the Bulls have to clear before Rose returns.  With the encouraging news that came out today, it's all but a given that most other challenges will be with the former MVP once the United Center is open for sports again.  While the second extended period away from home is not as notorious as the Circus Trip, it's still telling.  The Bulls have answered the question of whether or not they can do well without Rose.  For how long is what remains.  They've gotten through half the season.  A little more could always pad the resume.

Friday is somewhat historic for the Bulls as they play their first ever game in Brooklyn against the Nets.  That team's looking to prove it deserved an All-Star just as much as the Bulls deserved two.  It could be a dangerous environment they walk into as the Nets are doing their best to keep pace with the Knicks in the Atlantic.  Enjoy watching it as much as Jay-Z likely will.