Rose, Snell Star in Bulls’ Win vs. Cavaliers

February 13, 2015 @ admin → No Comments

In the final game before the NBA’s all-star weekend, non-all-star Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls defeated perennial all-star LeBron James and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 Thursday night. Rose played like an all-star (if not better) in scoring a team-high 30 points and issuing seven assists. More astoundingly, he committed only two turnovers (both in the fourth quarter when the game’s outcome no longer seemed in doubt).

Video below of Irina Shayk. For those so inclined (and otherwise).

* Speaking of James, he had a game-high 31 points in 34 minutes. He also had a game-high eight turnovers. Part of the credit goes to Bulls guard Tony Snell’s defense and part goes to the Cavs playing their second game in two nights. If nothing else, the Bulls have someone other than Jimny Butler to try to defend James. Not that any one player can stop James — other than James himself. He was 12-of-26 from the field, including 2-of-9 three-points. So King James apparently is human. Well, during the regular season.

* Speaking of Snell, his offense seems reasonably solid. If you call 9-of-11 from the field (including 4-of-6 three-pointers) reasonably solid. If you don’t, please seek professional help for whatever mental malady you might be suffering from.

No such thing as too many photos of Irina Shayk.

* Injured Kirk Hinrich can have more playing time than Snell as soon as he is healthy and can go 9-for-11 from the field with 4-of-6 on three-points. Which Snell has done in two consecutive contests.

* Still speaking of Snell, he had a game-high plus/minus rating of plus-29 in 38 minutes. Rose had a plus-3 in a game-high 41. James had a minus-27. For those who like statistics beyond points and rebounds. Some more Snell stats: James was 6-of-15 (3-of-11 on shots 16 feet or farther) with six turnovers when Snell guarded him.

* Speaking of rebounds (pretty sure we were at some point, weren’t we?), Bulls center Joakim Noah had a game-high 15, as he looks more like the Noah of old rather than an old Noah. His health will be key to any hopes for a Bulls protracted postseason presence.

* Speaking of Bulls and rebounds, Pau Gasol had 10 (to go with 18 points) in posting his 14th consecutive double-double. Only Michael Jordan has a longer streak in franchise history with 15 in a row in 1988-89. Something says Gasol ought to be able to double MJ’s total.

* An uneducated guess (a reminder that that is the only type of guess you will find around here) that Butler will bypass the NBA’s all-star game Sunday because of a shoulder injury. It would mark the first time Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau might be inclined to limit Butler’s minutes. Butler’s agent Happy Walters said his client plans to skip the Skills Challenge but plans to play in the all-star game. Yeah, because an exhibition game is more important than the regular and postseason. If Butler is as good as he thinks he is and has shown to be for much of this season, there will be other all-star games for him.

* As impressive as the Bulls looked Thursday night, they still need to show they can play like that on a regular basis. For those interested in such things, the Bulls would have the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and would face Milwaukee in the first round of the playoff, if the season ended today. And Cleveland would play Washington. Sadly for Bulls fans, the team’s season resumes Feb. 20.

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