Bulls' new depth even keeps Rose watching

Following a huge home victory Tuesday night, with the Bulls flaunting their newly acquired depth in a 120-102 rout of the Orlando Magic, Derrick Rose's greatest asset was debatable.

The basketball talent that allowed him to hit 7 of 9 shots for 14 points in the third quarter was a strong candidate.

But so was his lack of an ego. Rose was all smiles after the victory, even though he ended up sitting out the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter after dominating the game in the third.

Asked about the Bulls' reserves keeping him off the floor, Rose simply volunteered his services.

"I still want to be in the game," he said. But if anybody needs a rest, "I can definitely come in."

Finding the right fourth-quarter combination is one challenge facing Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. But everything worked on this night as the Bulls (26-31) shot a season-high 56.5 percent from the field and placed seven players in double figures, led by Rose with 22 points and Ben Gordon with 20.

Orlando center Dwight Howard had his usual big game, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds. But the Bulls' combo of Joakim Noah and Brad Miller held their own with a combined 23 points and 15 boards.

This was the second lopsided win in five days over a team that was at least 20 games above .500. Before snapping a six-game losing streak to Orlando (41-15), the Bulls beat Denver at home Friday.

"We've got some offensive options," said newcomer John Salmons, who chipped in 11 points and 4 assists. "We definitely can score the ball. With all the options we have, it's going to be hard for teams to match up with us because they can't really focus on one person."

If nothing else, Del Negro has the ability to use playing time as incentive for the Bulls to work hard. All nine players who saw action against the Magic played at least 20 minutes.

"It's tough, but my mind-set from Day One is the guys that are going to play hard and give us the best chance to win are going to be out there," Del Negro said. "Sometimes it's going to be your night and sometimes it's not.

"But that's about being a team and putting the team before yourself. Guys are going to have to get used to that."

That's great in theory. But Rose probably was the star of the game and then couldn't get back on the floor after heading to the bench for a routine breather at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulls stretched the lead past 10 points early in the fourth using Gordon and Hinrich in the backcourt, with all three newcomers across the front line, Salmons, Miller and Tim Thomas, who scored 17 points in 24 minutes.

Rose, Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas didn't return to the court until the final 2:45, after Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy already waved the white flag by removing Howard in favor of Marcin Gortat.

"(Rose) played 35 minutes," Del Negro said. "I thought we had good rhythm; Kirk was doing an excellent job. We had good control, got a nice lead.

"So I'm not going to break the rhythm of something just to get somebody extra minutes. The job is to win the game."

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