Trip counter
* Record: 5-2.
* Miles covered: 4,500.
* Place in standings at start: 18-20, 8th in Eastern Conference, 11 games back.
* Place in standings at end: 23-22, 7th, 12 1/2 back.
* Average point differential at start: -3.1.
* Average point differential at end: -2.3.
MVP
Derrick Rose. Beyond the 23.6 points and 5.4 assists the second-year guard averaged, he consistently displayed his newfound comfort level in taking over games down the stretch.
Trip tidbits
* All-Stars named: Rose.
* Limousine photos released: None, although monitor Joakim Noah over All-Star break.
Vinny’s best move
Brad Miller woke up on this trip, and Del Negro expertly juggled him and Noah, who is battling plantar fasciitis. He even used them in some effective high-low tandems for stretches and rode Miller when teams trapped Rose to offer better outside shooting.
Accomplishments
Merely NBA history. No team had defeated five straight teams with winning records on the same trip since the league began on Nov. 1, 1946. Equally important is the various ways the Bulls won — blowouts, close games, improved defense and offense, leading the entire way, coming from behind, in overtime and regulation. That’s the sign of a confi dent team.
The goals now
It’s hard to keep this in mind with the good vibes and momentum rolling. But this season is about 2010-11 as much as 2009-10. It’s quite likely the Bulls will make a core-altering trade to assure maximum salary-cap space this summer between now and the Feb. 18 deadline. That, of course, could affect this season’s chemistry.
Back to the UC
7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Clippers, Comcast SportsNet
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
