There was only one NBA game Thursday and it happened to pit the Bulls against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With TNT covering it and Marv Albert on the call, everyone was ready for Derrick Rose and LeBron James to butt heads. The matchup was somewhat dampened by the absences of Kevin Love and Jimmy Butler, but all the fans at the United Center cared about in the end was a 113-98 victory.
Though never officially a blowout, the game hardly felt like it was that close. The Bulls played with the energy and intensity that was lacking during most of January. The offense was explosive and the defense cracked down most of the time. There couldn't have been a better segue to the All-Star break.
Derrick Rose has had doubters all season and silenced them for one night with 30 points and seven assists. The two turnovers he committed late in the fourth quarter were his first in the last two games. The best part was he looked like the fearless explosive slasher that made him so special when he was widely considered one of the best players in the NBA. He seemingly only plays like this in high-profile games, so if this is true, look out come playoff time.
Tony Snell continued his recent hot streak with 22 points, which included a 4-of-6 evening from behind the 3-point line. Starting in place of Butler, his defense also in part forced James into eight turnovers, one off his season high. Is it too much to ask Tom Thibodeau to give Kirk Hinrich's rotation spot to Snell? Maybe he won't always be hot, but this late-season addition might be just what the Bulls need to push them over the top without giving anybody up.
Pau Gasol recorded his 14th consecutive double-double, this one to the tune of 18 and 10. Joakim Noah, looking confident and perhaps taking advantage of no Love in the middle, pulled down his own double-double of 10 and 15 while adding seven dimes. Taj Gibson scored 13 off the bench and his six rebounds served as a reminder that he'll stay consistent on both ends going forward.
Holding off the hot Cavaliers to keep first place in the Central at the break has to feel liberating. It also lets everyone know the battle for playoff seeding is going to be a tight one. Atlanta is on top for now followed by Toronto, but conventional wisdom seems to be the East will still run through these two teams. When both are hopefully healthy come playoff time, everyone better fasten their seat belts.
Many felt the Bulls peaked during their 13-2 run earlier this season after a bad January. But this past week has served as a reminder not to get too caught up in bad stretches when your team has a bunch of talent. You can't expect to go 17-0 like Atlanta did in January, but you can play .700 ball the rest of the way and still be in a position most teams would envy. Statement wins such as Thursday's will boost confidence and hopefully guide you to more wins.
After eight days off, the Bulls are back at it next Friday to take on the Detroit Pistons. It's a fairly easy opponent, but one the Bulls must caution themselves against because of their tendency to relax against lesser teams. Let's make that less of a problem going forward so your record can be as good as your roster.
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