The Bulls finally pulled everybody together for a sound victory. There was no sluggish start coupled with a high intensity 2nd half and buzzer beaters to win the game.
Sound defense, quality shooting, and Derrick Rose being Derrick Rose were the variables in place for a easy routing of the Pacers. This is a great victory on the road heading into one of the biggest games of the year, as the Bulls face the Miami Heat at home Saturday night.
INDIANAPOLIS — Derrick Rose had 29 points and a season-high 10 rebounds to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 99-86 Friday night.
Rose, who scored 20 points in the second half, also had five assists. Luol Deng had 17 points and five assists, Carlos Boozer scored 14 points and Kurt Thomas had a season-high 18 rebounds.
Danny Granger scored 22 points for the Pacers, but he shot 4 for 17 in the first three quarters when the game was in doubt. Mike Dunleavy scored 13 points and Jeff Foster had a season-high 15 rebounds for Indiana, which failed to notch its first three-game winning streak of the season.
Chicago held the Pacers to 33 percent shooting and is 2-0 against Indiana this season.