Boozer gets back to his old form quickly

Carlos Boozer's first two outings with the Bulls after recovering from a broken right hand didn't go very well.

In the two ensuing games, victories over Houston and Oklahoma City, Boozer averaged 27 points and 10.5 rebounds, along with shooting 61 percent from the field.

If he can continue that pace, it certainly bodes well for the Bulls. But he didn't want to spend any time reflecting on a couple of good performances.

“If we keep living in the past, we'll never improve,” Boozer said Tuesday at the Berto Center. “I'm hungry to improve as a player, hungry for my team to get better.

“I'm not going to sit here and dwell on the two games I had. Those games are over. I didn't come here for two games. I came here for a much bigger goal.”

Ronnie Brewer, who played with Boozer in Utah, thinks the burly power forward hasn't even hit his stride yet.

“I say no, because I played with him four years,” Brewer said. “I know a couple times when D-Rose (threw) pocket passes, he would have turned it over and dunked it with his left hand. I think his touch is getting back. His timing is getting back.

“Boozer's so talented where he can knock down the shot. He's unselfish where he can make the pass. It makes the game a whole lot easier and it opens the game up for a lot of different people.”

Defense shows signs:

Oklahoma City came into Monday's game at the United Center averaging 103.6 points per game. Against the Bulls, the Thunder managed just 90 points and shot 35 percent from the field.

The Bulls were able to do many of the things coach Tom Thibodeau has been preaching lately start the game with intensity, play inside-out and secure rebounds.

“I think when you let a high-scoring team get confidence early and if you ease into these games, you're asking for trouble,” Thibodeau said. “I thought we were up on shots and we did a good job of getting back and getting set.

“They're still capable. (Kevin) Durant, in a very short amount of time, still had 29 (points) and got to the free-throw line. But overall I thought it was very good.”

Noah goes back to Ohio:

With a trip to Cleveland pending, Joakim Noah reflected on his battle with the largest city on Lake Erie last spring.

While the Bulls lost to LeBron James and the Cavaliers in a five-game playoff series, Noah complained that Cleveland wasn't much fun. Asked later in the series if he regretted that comment, Noah just peeled off another zinger, pointing out that no one goes to Cleveland on vacation.

“I said what I said. It was during a time when we didn't really like their team. I was just taking shots at them,” Noah said Monday. “But at the same time, I know there are other people they hate more (in Cleveland).

“I'm not really worried about it. Things like this, I'm getting kind of used to it now, playing in arenas where people don't like me.”

Cleveland would be hard pressed to match the dislike for Noah shown in Boston on Friday. He'll be ready for anything.