Rose’s Strong 4th Helps Bulls Win 4th in Row

December 24, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Midweek musings: With impressive performances in back-to-back games, Derrick Rose provided further hope that he is back. Or will be sometime this season. Around playoff time will suffice. He had 25 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, as the Bulls beat the Washington Wizards 99-91 Tuesday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Video below of Azzra Hughes for your perusal.

* Speaking of the Bulls, they improved to 13-4 on the road, the best of any NBA Eastern Conference team. Not sure what that says about a team that is 19-9. Well, other than it means the Bulls are 6-5 at home.

* Speaking of Rose, he had 10 of his points in the fourth quarter (final 6:22 of the contest). He appeared to go against Wizards guard John Wall in terms of points. You can expect something similar Thursday night at the United Center against the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant, who has been known to score a few points every now and then.

* For those scoring at home (or elsewhere or not at all), Rose has a 5-0 record against Wall, who led Washington with 18 points.

* Speaking of points, Bulls guard Jimmy Butler had 11 points, as his salary drive took a night off. On the bright (?) side, he played a mere 38 minutes. Meaning he should be sufficiently rested to go 40-plus against the Lakers.

* OK, Bulls fans, which was more surprising: Pau Gasol hitting his first three-pointer of the season or E’Twaun Moore playing 20 minutes (and scoring five points)?

* Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long was named to the Pro Bowl. Running back Matt Forte was not. Let the outrage begin over a running back who is among the league leaders in receptions and averages 4.0 yards per carry and 65.8 per game. On second thought, never mind.

Video below of Jordan Carver for those so inclined. Or even for those disinclined.

* If it’s any consolation to Bears fans (and the guess here is that it just might be), former Bears Devin Hester and Greg Olsen were named to the Pro Bowl. The uneducated guess around here (and that’s the only type of guesses you will find in this space) is that having one or both of those players on the 2014 Bears would not have had an impact of the team’s record. Well, not unless either might have been able to play defense.

* A reminder that Comcast SportsNet has a Christmas Day gift with some programming for those who prefer Chicago sports over family and friends. Just kidding. But CSN does have an abundance of offerings during the day. Among the shows are (Central Time listed) 8:30 a.m.: “Comcast SportsNet’s 10-Year Anniversary Special;” 9:30: “Welcome to Cooperstown: Frank Thomas;” 10:30: “Frank Thomas: Class of 2014;” 11::“Hail Mary: Boston College vs. U. of Miami;” Noon “5 Outs,” which takes a look at the Cubs’ 2003 season; 1:30 p.m.: “Bears Classics: Night of the Ridiculous,” which chronicles the 2005 comeback victory vs. the Arizona Cardinals; 2:30: “Bears Classics: The Fog Bowl,” which takes a look at the 1988 playoff game vs. Philadelphia; 3:30: “Bears Classics: Gale Force,” which takes a look at Gale Sayers’ record 1965 six-touchdown game; 4:30: “Bears Classics: 44-0,” which focuses on the Bears’ 1985 victory vs. Dallas at Texas Stadium; 7: “Bears Classics: Night of the Ridiculous;” 8: “Bears Classics: Payton Forever,” which looks at Walter Payton’s career; 9: “Bears Classics: McMahon’s Miracle,” which showcases the 1985 victory at Minnesota when Jim McMahon rallied the team to a victory; 11: “Comcast SportsNet’s 10-Year Anniversary Special.”

* Speaking of friendly reminders, if you return to this site later Wednesday (probably early afternoon), you should find the latest installment of the annual songs of the season. For those who prefer not to partake of such fare (OK, and for those who actually do), a Merry Christmas to you — provided that you do celebrate that holiday. To everyone — that would mean those who do and do not celebrate the holiday — a wish for you and yours (and for everyone else as well): peace on Earth. And anywhere else you might happen to be.

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