There would be no need for the services of Derrick Rose in Charlotte as the Bulls (23-6) made slight work of the Bobcats (3-23), defeating them 95-64.
Rose would elect to sit, resting a stiff back as his teammates more than took care of business sending Charlotte to their 13th straight loss.
With the win, the Bulls became only the 20th team to win four straight games by 20 or more points and the first team to accomplish the feat on the road.
Joakim Noah led the team with a game-high 17 points to go along with 14 rebounds. Carlos Boozer contributed 16 points. Omer Asik pulled down 12 boards off the bench.
The Bulls held the Bobcats to 32 percent shooting and turned Charlotte’s 16 turnovers into 27 points.
“We’re really doing a good job,” said Luol Deng who contributed 12 points. “We’re just coming out from the start of the game, getting the lead and then playing with the lead. Everyone is just doing their part, which makes it so much easier and it’s just fun to be out there playing like that.”
While the competition during this four-game stretch has left a lot to be desired, the Bulls have maintained a consistency on the defensive end of the floor that even has Coach Tom Thibodeau seated during for much of the fourth quarters.
“You have to learn how to play with a lead,” said Thibodeau. “You have to play tough with a lead. There’s a lot of areas where we have to improve upon, but we’re doing a better job with that as of late.”
With the nine-game road trip winding down comes a big game on Sunday against the Boston Celtics (14-12) who have come to form, but have lost their last two games.
“We’re focused right now,” said Noah. “We’re just trying to play the right way. Whatever the challenge is, we’re just trying to play the right way. We’re definitely getting better. It’s a good feeling and there’s a big one coming up on Sunday, and we just didn’t want to have any letdowns coming into this game. We handled our business.”
Comments