Morning Box Score: Rose, Bulls Sluggish, But Still Beat Mavs

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 21, 2011 3:30PM

Bulls 82, Mavericks 77: If the Bulls are going to merit serious discussion as an Eastern Conference contender, games like last night are the types of games they need to win on a consistent basis. Carlos Boozer was scratched for a third straight game and the team as a whole shot only 35.6 percent from the field and had no fast break points all game. Derrick Rose shot only 9 for 28, but his 26 points led all scorers and the Bulls defense clamped down on Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in an 82-77 win. In the process the Bulls handed the Mavericks, one of the Western Conference's best teams, its fifth straight road loss.

Matched against Dallas' Jason Kidd and Jason Terry all night, Rose seemed more content to distribute the ball early in the game. But coach Tom Thibodeau, sensing that both teams couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with the ball from ten paces away, urged Rose to use his speed and drive. Rose did, adding to an already impressive highlight reel. After the game, Terry summed it up best.

"Derrick Rose is their team. I don't care who else they have on that roster. He took 28 shots tonight. Anybody who takes 28 shots, it's the Jordan rules."