Netting a Nice Win

Almost 18 years to the day, I attended my first Bulls game.  The defending champions beat a Minnesota team that had Kevin Garnett, who sat out the game with an injury.  Tonight at the United Center, I saw a healthy Garnett suit up for the Brooklyn Nets, but it made little difference.  Although the aging star scored 13 points, he didn't have Brook Lopez or Joe Johnson to back him up and lost 105-80.

I had a two-game losing streak coming into this one.  A quick 10-1 Nets lead and 7-0 rebounding advantage made me dread I was in for another defeat.  But Derrick Rose woke up after earning two personal fouls and one technical.  Perhaps it was his frustration with a bad start that got him going.

The former MVP showed shades of his old form and led the Bulls back to a tied halftime score at 51.  He continued to step up in the second half, but a tighter defense and depleted Nets offense resulted in the Bulls winning the second half 54-29.  A jumper by Jimmy Butler gave the fans free Big Macs with over three minutes to play.  With that, many in the stands cleared out and both teams emptied their benches.

All five Bulls starters scored in double figures, led by 23 points from Rose, who also had a team-high four assists.  Pau Gasol achieved his latest double-double of 16 points and rebounds apiece.  Taj Gibson, starting in place of the injured Joakim Noah, joined Gasol with 11 and 10.  The two big men also combined for 10 blocks, so there was a collective triple-double in there.  The interior defense, led by these two, was so stifling that it was hard to believe so many close Nets shots were being sent back.

Jimmy Butler showed the latest example of his improved season with 18 points.  Mike Dunleavy was a surprise offensive contributor by scoring 12 of his 14 from beyond the three-point line.  Nikola Mirotic, who absolutely convinced me tonight that he'll be on the All-Rookie Team, poured in 10 while playing effectively and efficiently.  A few more quality defensive outings and everyone in the league will be watching him.

For a team that hasn't played well at home or defensively early in the season, the Bulls showed little evidence of that in this one.  It was obvious early on, but they regrouped and rightfully took down a team more depleted than they were.  Whether Rose's technical was a catalyst for them to wake up may never truly be known.  But in the long run, if everything I saw from him afterward indicates what's coming from him, there's every reason to believe in this season.

I can't say enough about how deep the Bulls are in the post.  We all know what Noah can do, but when Gasol, Gibson and Mirotic are on, it can be tough on teams that don't like to shoot from too far out.  The offense is there and the defense can make a real difference when everyone is ready to play.  To beat the Bulls, opponents better have some well-rounded offensive talent or it's going to be tough to do that.

The Bulls will get Thursday off before returning to the United Center Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.  It presents them with another chance to show they can compete with the top guns in the West.  That didn't pan out against Golden State.  But hopefully, they're just getting stronger as the season progresses.