Still sloppy, but Bulls beat Suns

After a narrow victory over Phoenix on Saturday at the United Center, the Bulls admitted they're having trouble getting everything right after a weeklong all-star break.

Among the challenges are keeping the offense at a fast pace while avoiding careless turnovers, and also trying to get everyone back in a good rhythm, like they were when the Bulls won four in a row before the break.

There were plenty of rough moments Saturday, but guard Aaron Brooks and some other reserves led a fourth-quarter push and the Bulls hung on at the end to post a 112-107 victory.

Confessions were made inside the Bulls locker room after the game. Derrick Rose talked about getting used to the longer all-star break.

"This was the most time I took off in two years," Rose said. "When I came back, (I'm) just trying not to mess up the game while I'm out there right now. Just trying to ease my way back into it."

After being outplayed by rookie Spencer Dinwiddie in Friday's loss at Detroit, Rose was better Saturday, finishing with 16 points, 5 assists and just 1 turnover, despite being in rare early foul trouble.

This is the first year the NBA has tried the expanded all-star break and Rose was asked if the timing was unfortunate, since he finished the first half with a 30-point game against Cleveland.

"I wouldn't say it's unfortunate. It's great," Rose said. "It's just that coming back, just trying to learn. This is the first year they did it. This is the first year I took this many days off. I didn't even take this many days off in the summer. Just a learning experience."

While Rose is shaking off rust, Taj Gibson seems rejuvenated after the break. He scored 12 points against the Suns and has 27 in the past two games.

Gibson confessed to playing with a left hand injury for the past month, since the Jan. 19 game at Cleveland.

"I was playing with a Stage 2 ligament tear in my hand," he said. "It was so frustrating, but just go out there and try to do what I can. (Coach Tom Thibodeau) told me don't try to tell about any injuries; just go out there and try to give the team whatever you can. That's been my slogan, just try to do what I can."

Gibson went home to Brooklyn during the break and said he's feeling much better physically. He missed time earlier this season with an ankle injury.

Against Phoenix, the Bulls seemed comfortable playing at a fast pace. They knocked down 12 of 24 shots from 3-point range. After coughing up 11 turnovers in the first half, they dropped that number down to 6 after intermission.

"When we play at an up-tempo pace, we're a totally different team," Rose said. "I've just got to force the issue - push the ball and make them run with me. I think it starts with me. Whenever I get it, I've just got to push it up court. Even if I don't have a layup, I've just got to push it up so we get in our offense a little bit quicker, so guys get used to it."

Pau Gasol led the Bulls on Saturday with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jimmy Butler finished with 19 points. Asked if he enjoyed the fast pace, Gasol had a different answer.

"Not necessarily. I enjoy winning and I enjoy playing well," he said. "We won tonight and I played well and the team played pretty well. That's what I enjoy."

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