Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose both played ill, so were lucky to get a rest thanks to every active player seeing action. Rose attempted a career-low three field goals when playing over 20 minutes and scored just six points. Butler handled personal adversity much better to the tune of a game-high 23 points and two steals. Use that to draw the latest comparisons between those two if you wish, but given their circumstances, that's probably stretching it.
Two players who have come under increased scrutiny made everyone forget why, at least for the moment. Nikola Mirotic, who hasn't been able to hit enough shots to assist in putrid team efforts, scored 15 of his 17 points from behind the 3-point line. Tony Snell started again tonight despite the fact that he's been mostly invisible on both ends for most of the year. This time, he came out with something to prove and did just that, grabbing a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Another two players flirted with their own double-doubles, though it in no way affected anyone's thinking of how they played. Doug McDermott continued a rejuvenated NBA sophomore season with a conventional 13 points and eight boards. Joakim Noah had a line more conventional for him than most other players: 15 rebounds and eight assists. Not bad for a player with hopefully his best days ahead and one whose best may or may not be behind him.
Every active Bull getting in meant Bobby Portis and Cameron Bairstow got a chance to show off their skills in garbage time. Portis, playing his first regular-season game at the United Center, scored seven points in four minutes. The crowd, which had been chanting his name lustily, was as happy to see him as they were to get their free Big Macs. Bairstow, whose presence was not nearly as anticipated as Portis', made a close field goal.
It was relaxing to see the Bulls make easy work of a team for once, even if it was the 76ers. We've been so used to seeing a stagnant offense and lackadaisical defense (and we still saw them in the first half), we were starting to wonder when those things would go away, even just momentarily. Our answer came right here and it couldn't have happened against a team that deserves its fate more. I don't hate the 76ers: just the loud way they've told everyone they're tanking.
The 14-8 Bulls will try to extend their conference-high three-game winning streak Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. That's a nationally televised affair, which the Bulls seem to do well on most of the time. Of course, the game is on ESPN and TNT is the network they have a better recent record on. Whatever network broadcasts them though, whether they can show the country what they're capable of when everything comes together is what's really important.
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