CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Derrick Rose scored a career-high 42 points to pace the improving Chicago Bulls to a comfortable 109-99 win over the NBA leading San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
The Bulls, well clear in the Eastern Conference Central Division, picked up a fourth successive victory heading into the All-Star break, while the Spurs concluded their nine-game road trip to facilitate a rodeo in their home arena with six wins.
“That was some performance,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Rose’s contribution. “It was great leadership. He got us off to a great start. And he kept attacking all game.”
After briefly falling behind in the second quarter, Rose’s 10 points helped the Bulls close the first half with a 15-7 run to carry a 58-51 advantage into the break.
“I was just trying to do whatever it takes to win,” said Rose. “If it led to me shooting the ball, thank God the shots were falling tonight.”
The Spurs drew to within two points at 73-71 with 4:49 remaining in the third quarter but Luol Deng responded with a three-pointer and the Bulls cruised to victory.
Deng finished with 19 points and Carlos Boozer added 15 for the Bulls, while Tony Parker was the Spurs top scorere with 26 points.
