Rozner: Rose leads streaking Bulls into break

LeBron James strolled in about 90 minutes before game time Thursday night wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeve T-shirt, looking less than interested in the Cavs' final game before the all-star break.

Derrick Rose, on the other hand, appeared to mean business.

And he did.

Looking a lot like Derrick Rose - yeah, that Derrick Rose - the former MVP was unstoppable going to the bucket and collected 30 points as he led the Bulls to a 113-98 victory over Cleveland at the UC on Thursday night.

The Cavs came in having won 14 of 15 with a chance to take over the Central Division lead, but James turned the ball over eight times and was generally sluggish, and it's the Bulls who carry a four-game winning streak into the all-star break.

"We can be very good. Everybody knows that," Rose said. "It takes everyone being on the same page, especially on defense."

While James had 31 points on 12-of-26 shooting, he was a game-worst minus-27. Rose, on the other hand, played 40-plus minutes with 7 assists and only 2 turnovers, both late in the game.

"I'm not going to measure myself off of this game because I think I can always do better," Rose said. "I'm headed in the right direction. I'm really trying to push myself and stay healthy, and I felt like condition-wise I'm a little bit better.

"I'm very happy with where I'm at. It's all about conditioning. Playing through fatigue is important."

Rose did not look tired as he controlled the game in the third quarter, got to the basket at will and heard MVP chants from the Bulls' faithful for the first time in a long time.

"I heard it, but I don't get caught up in it," Rose said. "In my mind, I still have that mentality, but I think I can do better."

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has said from the start that Rose needs to play, and only through extended minutes would he get back to being Rose. At least on this night, he displayed flashes of the world-class Rose.

"I've said this before. It is very difficult to come back after one year (off), and you're looking at 2½ years for Derrick," Thibodeau said. "That is a really long time. I think his confidence is coming and the timing is coming back.

"He's getting back to where his strengths are, and that's really big for us."

What was clear Thursday from the start was that Rose was reacting instead of thinking, and attacking instead of wondering.

"I was just trying to keep them out of transition," Rose said. "I was dictating the game when I had the ball in my hands, and that's what I'm supposed to do.

"We didn't give them a lot and that's important because they like to get going in transition."

The Bulls, in a change of demeanor from their last 20 games, were serious about this one. Threatened with losing first place in the division, the Bulls' defense without Jimmy Butler was terrific against a Cleveland offense missing Kevin Love.

And they were pretty much in command from beginning to end, giving an effort not often seen the last month.

"It was just fun," Rose said. "Playing against a very talented team, it was just fun to go out and compete and play well."

So what does a game in February mean? Precisely nothing. Statement games are played in May and June.

But if all that came out of this game was some confidence for Rose, that's no small accomplishment. He played like he had something to prove on national TV, as he goes on vacation and the best basketball players in the world go to New York for the All-Star Game.

"It's a big game. That's what you guys forget about Derrick Rose," said Joakim Noah, who had 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 10 points. "Big game, I'll take Derrick anytime. If he has something to prove to people, you best get outta the way."

So while a couple of the Bulls head to New York for all-star festivities, most of the team will chill out for the next week, knowing they won't hear Thibodeau screaming - except in their nightmares.

"It feels good," Noah said. "It's definitely the best game we've played in awhile.

"We can think about that for the next week. Pau (Gasol) is going to New York, probably be a blizzard. I'm going to enjoy the sun and the beach and have a Red Stripe. I'm really, really, really excited about that."

The Bulls actually smiled a bit postgame, something rare in a season filled with so much drama, and as they walked to the showers they saw a note on the whiteboard that stated, "Enjoy your break … Wed practice 5:00."

Most of them focused on the first part. Smiles, indeed.

brozner@dailyherald.com

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