Bulls Come Up Roses as Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer Blow Out the Pistons

There were three keys to victory for the Chicago Bulls during their stretch of five games in six days: create turnovers, find Joakim Noah and trust Jimmy Butler.

Game one versus the Pistons was a rounding success despite only utilizing one of those keys.

Creating turnovers.

The Bulls defense was stifling against Detroit and a decisive fourth quarter propelled the Bulls to a 92-68 win.  The victory gives them three games at home in which the Bulls defense have not allowed more than 75 points to a team.

In the fourth, Derrick Rose and company forced 10 Piston turnovers and outscored Detroit, 24-9.

Led by Carlos Boozer (23 points) and Rose, who scored 22 points and handed out eight assists, the Bulls pulled away early in the final quarter in which they opened by using a 13-3 run.

As for the other keys, Joakim Noah played a little bit better, but he was not up to the standards that have been set for him.

What happened to the double-doubles that Bulls fans have grown accustomed to?  That is a question that no one can answer.  Noah's energy was up, slightly.  By not attempting a field goal in 25 minutes, one is beginning to believe that he has lost favor in the eyes of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, who has opted to go with Omer Asik in crunch time. 

If you compare their numbers: Noah 7.7 points and 7.4 rebounds; Asik 3.2 points and 5.4 rebounds.  The argument weighs in the direction of Noah but in earnest, he has struggled while Asik has shone during the season.

Is the tide turning for the Bulls center position where Asik is fast becoming the better player?

Jimmy Butler's minutes were too minuscule to impress.  Does he have to find some dirt on Thibodeau in order to garner playing time? 

Once the Bulls lead swelled to 17 with about five minutes to go in the game, Thibodeau brought  back in Boozer and had every starter on the floor except for Luol Deng and Noah.

Note to Tom Thibodeau: Detroit isn't coming back to win this game being down 79-62.  It really is okay to pull your starters and give minutes to players like Butler.  The season is lost if Rose blows out his knee during a game that you should win.

You've broken the spirit of Detroit and you did it without Richard Hamilton and C.J. Watson.  Play the rookie, coach.