Bulls-Thunder: Three Takeaways From a Bounce-Back Showing

Not only did the Chicago Bulls bounce back in a big way on Thursday night, they got a throwback performance from their former MVP. Here’s three takeaways from the Bulls’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

After Tuesday night’s game in Charlotte, the sky began to fall in Chicago. The Chicago Bulls gave up 130 points to a winless Charlotte Hornets club and looked completely lifeless in the process of getting blown out of the building in front of former Bulls great Michael Jordan.

However, after Thursday night’s game, the Bulls appear to have made a quick turnaround and gotten things back on track with a 104-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at home. The Bulls got a throwback performance, courtesy of their 1960’s-themed uniforms, and from the youngest MVP in league history.

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Derrick Rose dropped 12 of his team-high 29 points in the fourth quarter and looked like the old Rose for a half. Thursday’s game was tight throughout and when the game came down to crunch time, Rose was the best player on the floor. (Yeah, the same floor shared by Jimmy Butler, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.)

Not only did Rose score a season-high in points, he logged 37:29 of playing time on Thursday; the most he’s played all season. Rose got some much needed help from Jimmy Butler, who not scored 21 of his 26 points to carry the Bulls in the first half, he *held* Kevin Durant to 33 points, but on 29 shots.

Here’s more on the Bulls’ victory from Thursday night, starting with the aforementioned dynamic backcourt of the Bulls.

Next: 1. It won't happen every night, but when this backcourt gets going, look out