Winning means more than matchups to Bulls’ Rose

Derrick Rose dominated a matchup with all-star Deron Williams in impressive fashion Wednesday.

Rose didn’t shoot particularly well (11-for-26), but he produced 29 points and 11 assists in the Bulls’ 91-86 victory at Utah.

Williams, who recently missed four games with a wrist injury, finished with 11 points, 12 assists and finished the game with 3 straight turnovers.

For his trouble, Rose’s reward is a date with New Orleans all-star Chris Paul on Saturday. After the Utah game, Rose claimed it’s never about point-guard rivalries in his mind.

“We’re just trying to win,” Rose said. “I don’t go into a game thinking about the matchups. I just think about winning games. If we win games, I think the matchup thing is out the window. I don’t really go into it looking like that.”

The Bulls are 4-0 against New Orleans since Rose joined the team, but Paul wasn’t always healthy for those games.

Noah frees thumb:The Bulls should be down to three games left without injured center Joakim Noah. For the first time since he had a pin removed from the surgically repaired right thumb, Noah#146;s hand felt freedom.

A small cast was removed from his right hand at halftime of Wednesday#146;s game at Utah. In the locker room, Noah moved the thumb and said it felt stiff. Asked if it was painful to the touch, he poked at it with his other hand and declared it pain free.

The Bulls have a history of being cautious with injuries. So while Noah probably would like to return next Thursday against San Antonio, it seems more realistic he will be back in Toronto on Feb. 23.

Praise for Sloan:The Bulls traveled to New Orleans on Thursday while news broke that Utah coach Jerry Sloan resigned in his 23rd year on the job.

Before the Bulls played the Jazz on Wednesday, coach Tom Thibodeau talked about the Bulls legend who roamed the sideline in Salt Lake City for so many years.

#147;He#146;s one of the all-time greats,#148; Thibodeau said. #147;I#146;m just starting out. He defines what great is, to me, to be able to sustain a high level of excellence over a long period of time.

#147;I think he stands for what coaching should be all about. He prepares his team well. He coaches hard. He#146;s professional.#148;

Korver, Brewer contribute:While most of the focus was on Carlos Boozer#146;s return to Utah, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer contributed to Wednesday#146;s win over their former team.

Korver knocked down a 3-pointer with 2:18 left, while Brewer scored 6 points and stole a Deron Williams pass in the final seconds to seal the victory.

#147;There is no vindication here,#148; Korver said. #147;I had a great time (in Utah). There was nothing to prove. It was emotional in some ways. But I had fun. I#146;ve got a lot of good friends over there, so it#146;s a little bit strange playing against somebody in a game that matters and not in practice.#148;

Likewise, Brewer didn#146;t take any added joy in beating the Jazz. Utah traded him to Memphis last February.

#147;To me, it#146;s more important to get off a losing streak,#148; he said. #147;If we want to be a contender in the East, we have to win games on the road.#148;

Taj in all-star contest:The Bulls will be back in the shooting stars competition during all-star weekend. Team Chicago will be made up of Taj Gibson, Sky forward Cathrine Kraayveld and retired Bulls guard Steve Kerr.