As the NBA officially heads to the All-Star break, basketball fans were treated with one game on Thursday night. The opponents – the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls – happened to be battling for the top of the Central Division in the East before the league wrapped up the first half of the season. Viewers were additionally gifted with a top-notch performance from Derrick Rose, who played like his former MVP-self, even earning those “MVP!” chants that used to echo through the United Center on a nightly basis just a few, short years ago.
It was one of those evenings in Chicago where Rose simply dominated the game. On offense, he continually attacked the rim, found the open man, accelerated and spun passed defenders in transition, and knocked down shots from midrange. On defense, Rose guarded Kyrie Irving as best as you can ask, limiting the All-Star reserve to 3-12 shooting for just eight points when he was assigned to him, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Speaking of the battle of the point guards on Thursday night, Rose scored 15 points on 7-12 shooting when guarded by Irving, giving Rose bragging rights in the matchup duel of the evening.
Take a look at Rose’s highlights from his phenomenal 30-point, seven-assist, and four-rebound outing on 12-24 shooting, as the Bulls handed the Cavs just their second loss in 16 games and took home their fourth straight win with a 113-98 victory.
[Video via Dawk Ins]
