The Chicago Bulls (4-2) defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3) 104-98 on Thursday.
Derrick Rose finally put together a complete performance, and the result was an impressive victory over a dynamic and high-octane Thunder squad. Rose outplayed Russell Westbrook in what was the Bulls’ point guard’s best game of the young season by far. His team-best 29 points were also a season high, easily surpassing the 18 he tallied in the opener against the Hawks. Rose also managed to stuff the stat sheet in other categories, amassing seven assists and five rebounds while only turning the ball over once in 37 minutes.
The Thunder received another outstanding effort from a rejuvenated Kevin Durant, who appears completely healthy and hitting on all cylinders offensively. The 27-year-old posted his second-best scoring night of the season with a game-high 33 points, and was considerably aggressive with 29 shot attempts. Perhaps most encouraging was the fact that Durant showed no signs of wear on the second night of a back-to-back, and was able to spend 41 quality minutes on the floor. Serge Ibaka (17 points) and Russell Westrook’s near triple-double (20 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds) helped supplement Durant’s production.
The Thunder dropped to 3-3 and are presently a half game behind first-place Portland in the Western Conference’s Northwest Division, pending the outcome of tonight’s Grizzlies-Blazers contest. Oklahoma City heads home for a Sunday tilt with Phoenix.
The Bulls backcourt was on fire Thursday, with Jimmy Butler playing Robin to Derrick Rose’s Batman. The Bulls shooting guard was right behind Rose with 26 points of his own. Although Pau Gasol was the only other starter to score in double digits (11 points), the Bulls benefited from balanced scoring contributions from their bench. Aaron Brooks and Taj Gibson paced Chicago’s reserves with nine points apiece.
The Bulls improve to 4-2 and reside in second place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. They remain home for a date with the Timberwolves on Saturday.
