Chicago bounces back from loss to Philadelphia
Comments (...)NEW YORK – Since ending the Bulls’ post-dynasty All-Star drought as a reserve in 2010, Derrick Rose, voted in as a starter Thursday for the second straight year, has made the game an annual routine.
This is becoming routine as well: Following Rose’s lead to prevent a two-game losing streak.
The Bulls haven’t lost consecutive regular-season games since Feb. 5-7, 2011 after Thursday night’s 105-102 victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Rose made sure a repeat of Wednesday’s desultory effort against the 76ers didn’t occur, posting 32 points, 13 assists and several breathtaking shots.
“We tried to redeem ourselves,” Rose said on TNT after the game.
Landry Fields’ layin with 23.4 seconds left pulled the Knicks within 101-100. But Kyle Korver knocked down two free throws with 13.7 seconds to play. Taj Gibson rebounded Amare Stoudemire’s missed 3-point attempt and split his free throws with 9.3 seconds left.
After Carmelo Anthony sank two free throws, Rose missed a free throw with 5.3 seconds left but made the second for a three-point lead. Anthony’s long 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.
The Bulls led 86-83 with just less than eight minutes remaining when they scored on five straight possessions. Carlos Boozer and Rose hit jumpers. Rose scored on a twisting, left-handed scoop shot that drew several oohs and aahs from the star-studded crowd. And then Rose matched Landry Fields’ 3-pointer with one of his own.
C.J. Watson, strong off the bench with 12 points, capped the flurry with another jumper with 5:11 to play.
But the Knicks wouldn’t go away, pulling within 99-96 with less than two minutes remaining. That’s when Joakim Noah blocked Carmelo Anthony and rookie Jimmy Butler, playing clutch minutes, knocked down a jumper with 68 seconds left. Butler, in his best performance this season, contributed seven points in 20 minutes.
The Bulls got another active effort from Noah, who overcame foul trouble early in the third quarter to finish with 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. And Boozer and Korver each added 16 points.
But the story of the night, as it is many nights, was Rose.
“He certainly has earned it,” coach Tom Thibodeau said of Rose garnering 1,514,723 votes, the third-most behind the Magic’s Dwight Howard and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.
Rose embraced the honor.
“It means a lot for my fans to vote for me,” he said. “I didn’t realize I had all those votes. I’m appreciative. I don’t take any one of my fans that went online and voted for me for granted. I appreciate them all. I hope they continue to watch me.”
Rose has talked openly in the past about not enjoying playing in exhibitions and pick-up games. And though his serious demeanor sometimes looks out of place in the annual extravaganza, the All-Star game doesn’t apply.
“It’s definitely fun,” he said. “You learn more leadership skills where everyone is a different type of leader. Me being a young player, that’s something I can take from there and add to this team. This [exhibition] is totally different. It’s all All-Stars.”
This will be a busy 2012 for Rose. Beyond the business of the compressed schedule thanks to the NBA lockout, an Olympic berth likely awaits. Would he prefer to have All-Star weekend off?
“That’s a tricky question,” he said. “Everybody is looking for a way to rest. This year, that’s not going to happen. It’s going to be hectic. But that’s something I’ve been conditioning for. I should be OK.”
He and the Bulls were more than OK on Thursday.
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