Thibodeau wants Bulls to pick up the pace

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — During their last three games, the Bulls averaged 14.3 points in the fourth quarter.

When pressed to identify the problem, coach Tom Thibodeau talked about stretching the fastbreak through the full 48 minutes.

“I think it's important we run late (in games),” he said. “Sometimes we're walking it up as the game goes on and I want us to play with more of a pace. We're rebounding the ball the way we are, getting Derrick (Rose) into the open floor with speed is critical.”

Often times, Rose's specialty is the one-man fastbreak. Do the Bulls need to get more people running with their blur of a point guard?

“That's part of it and Derrick's got to push it, too,” Thibodeau replied. “Carlos (Boozer) has got to sprint to the front of the rim. The more work he gets and the more he plays, I think you'll see that more and more.”

Pushing the tempo into the fourth quarter is easy to suggest, but probably tougher to execute. Rose is already carrying an offensive load for the Bulls.

“It's way more easier said than done,” Rose said when told of Thibodeau's plan. “If anything, we're just finding ways to win in the fourth quarter.”

Sunday's fastbreak points ended in a 12-12 tie. The Bulls were credited with just 10 fastbreak points combined against Washington and New York.

Taj returns to form

Forward Taj Gibson, who suffered a concussion last week, was back to playing a significant role against Detroit — with 9 rebounds, 5 points and 2 blocks in 30 minutes of action.

“I feel normal,” Gibson said after the game. “I just haven't hit the weights in a while, because they told me I couldn't hit weights. I couldn't do anything. I've been (feeling) fine. This concussion thing, I don't want it to happen again. I'll get back into it. I'll never take any more days off.”

Starters seldom scoring

Since Joakim Noah was sidelined by thumb surgery, the Bulls have used to low scorers in the starting lineup with guard Keith Bogans and center Kurt Thomas. In the last three games, those players averaged a combined 7.3 points, but coach Tom Thibodeau is unconcerned.

“No, because you want to be a well-balanced team,” he said. “What Kurt and Keith bring to our team are two guys who can guard extremely well. They make it hard on the opponent to start the game. They're both smart players; they're tough players and they fulfill their roles.”

Bull horns

The Bulls had a chance to sign Tracy McGrady this summer, but passed. He looked good scoring 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter for the Pistons on Sunday. “McGrady's healthy. He puts a lot of pressure on you,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. … The Bulls hit just 6 of their previous 36 shots from 3-point range until Keith Bogans drilled 2 in a row in the third quarter.