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 Driving layups. Floating jump shots. Timely assists.
"It's all coming," Rose said. "I've got so many things I can go to
while I'm in the lane. I've just got to put it all together."
Rose took a big step forward Thursday night, scoring 30 points and
handing out seven assists to lead the Bulls to a 113-98 win over the
Cleveland Cavaliers.
Chicago forward Pau Gasol added 18 points and 10 rebounds for his
14th consecutive double-double, which is the best mark in the NBA
this season. Forward Tony Snell contributed 22 points for the Bulls,
who posted their fourth consecutive win. Chicago (34-20) also got 10
points, 15 rebounds and seven assists from center Joakim Noah.
Forward LeBron James led the Cavaliers (33-22) with 31 points on
12-of-26 shooting from the field. Guard Kyrie Irving added 17 points
for Cleveland, which lost for only the second time in 16 games.
Cleveland coach David Blatt said his team's recent success
outweighed one night's disappointment.
 "We can go into the (All-Star) break feeling good about our chances
going forward," Blatt said. "At the same time, (we have) the
knowledge of several things that we can also improve on and do
better. That's a good place to be."
A shallow frontcourt hindered Cleveland. Forward Kevin Love sat out
because of an eye injury, and center Timofey Mozgov played in foul
trouble for much of the game.
Against a smaller lineup, Rose took advantage. His aggressive drive
in the final seconds of the third quarter gave the Bulls an 87-77
lead heading into the fourth. Rose sprinted past Cavaliers guard
Iman Shumpert and split two defenders in the paint for an
up-and-under layup to increase the margin to double digits.
Rose added several other highlight-reel plays, including a spin move
past Shumpert for a basket and several hard drives against Irving
that led to layups or free throws. Rose shot 12-for-24 from the
field but missed both of his 3-point attempts.
"The shooting is going to come," Rose said. "That's the last thing I
need is when I really start knocking down a consistent 3-pointer. My
layups are coming. My playmaking is coming. It's just that every
game that I play, I've got to put it behind me and go to the next
game."
The Bulls established a 55-48 halftime lead with a balanced
offensive attack led by Rose, Gasol and forward Taj Gibson, each of
whom scored in double digits before the break. The Cavaliers trailed
by as many as 15 points in the second quarter but closed the half
with an 11-3 run.
Chicago led 30-26 at the end of the first quarter behind 12 points
from Gasol, who made five of his first eight shots from the floor.
The Cavaliers opened the game with an 8-3 advantage before the Bulls
responded with an 11-1 run.
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"We'll watch this game after the All-Star break and see what we can
improve on," Irving said. "We're going to go on this break winning
14 of our last 16, and we'll get rested."
Noah said he and his Bulls teammates need to maintain a high level
of intensity when they return. He smiled and shook his head when
asked whether Thursday's victory and a four-game winning streak
indicated that the club turned a corner.
"No," Noah said. "Because any time you feel like you have it figured
out, that's when it comes back and bites you. I've been in this
league long enough to know that."
James had four assists to break a tie with Hall of Famer John
Havlicek for the second-most assists by a forward in NBA history.
James, 30, has 6,118 career assists, 18 shy of surpassing Scottie
Pippen for the league record.
NOTES: Cavaliers F Kevin Love did not play because of an eye injury
that he sustained Wednesday against the Miami Heat. Love was
diagnosed with a right corneal abrasion and complained of blurred
vision after he was struck by Heat G Mario Chalmers during a battle
for a rebound. ... Bulls F Jimmy Butler did not play because of a
right shoulder strain. Butler is scheduled to make his first NBA
All-Star Game appearance Sunday as a reserve for the Eastern
Conference, but his playing time could be limited because of the
injury. ... Cavaliers F Tristan Thompson replaced Love in the
starting lineup and scored 10 points. Thompson, 23, has made 12
starts this season after starting all 82 games in each of the
previous two seasons. ... Bulls G Kirk Hinrich (left turf toe)
missed his third consecutive game.
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