The Sports Xchange
Bulls’ Rose looks like old self
The last time Derrick Rose took the court, he was hobbled by a sprained right ankle against Miami and missed 12-of-13 shots. He was benched late in the game and backup C.J. Watson ended up draining a tying 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
History repeated itself, in a way, on Sunday at Detroit, because this time Rose buried a tying 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds left in regulation. The Chicago Bulls went on to beat the Pistons in overtime 100-94.
Rose looked much more like his usual self in this game, which is good news for the Bulls, even if they struggled against a sub-.500 team. He finished with 24 points, nine assists and seven turnovers, while hitting 9-of-22 shots.
“I thought he was terrific,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He still has some bobbles, but I thought his pick-and-roll offense was unbelievable. Changing directions was great, and I thought he was getting to the rim. He didn’t get the calls, but he’s getting hit so he’s got to keep going.”
The Bulls can live with progress, because the goal is to be playing their best when the playoffs begin. Rose has six more regular-season games to get comfortable.
“We struggled most of the game and then in the end found a way to win it,” Thibodeau said. “We were like a step behind on everything, but I thought the defense was pretty good.”
The Bulls are back in action Monday against Washington at the United Center. If they can beat the Wizards and then Charlotte on Wednesday, the Bulls will be no worse than three games ahead of Miami in the loss column on Thursday when they play the Heat in South Florida.
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