Derrick Rose impresses with 30 points in Bulls win over Cavs
It has been an up and down season for Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. On a basic level, it’s good that the 2011 MVP has been able to play consistently after two lost seasons. Yet Rose has not been able to recapture his superstar form with much consistency, alternating flashes of very strong play with stretches of quality but not exactly overwhelming performance. Rose is still very good, but it’s sometimes hard to see him as the same Derrick Rose we became accustomed to.
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When he gets to that level, though, it’s extra fun to watch. That’s what happened in Thursday’s home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at United Center. In a game controlled by the Bulls throughout, Rose scored 30 points on 12-of-24 shooting with seven assists and two turnovers. Perhaps most important of all was that he looked to have a spring in his step. Take a look at the highlights:
Rose wasn’t alone in the Bulls’ 113-98 victory. Tony Snell finished with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting while starting in place of All-Star Jimmy Butler, who sat out with a strained shoulder but is still planning to play on Sunday. Fellow All-Star Pau Gasol was also impressive with 18 points, 10 boards, and six assists.
Rose wasn’t selected for the All-Star team, but this game was a nice reminder that he is just as essential as anyone to the Bulls’ hopes of winning the conference. When he plays at this level of activity and efficiency, Chicago becomes a much more versatile and animated side. Rose’s ability to find that form over the second half and playoffs should go a long way to deciding his team’s fate.
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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
