Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards: Bulls Bounce Back, Beat Wizards 98-88

After yesterday's nightmare finish against the Heat, Derrick Rose started off against the Wizards taking the opening offensive possession and taking the exact same floater form the exact same spot on the court to open the game. This time, he made it. 

That tends to be the way of things with Rose. Once he's made a mistake he takes immediate steps to improve. 

He didn't stop today after he sank the first floater. He was on a mission to make them over, and over, and over and over again. By the time it was all said and done, Rose scored 35 points, a season high, and added eight assists in leading the Bulls to a win over the Wizards.

It was the third straight 30-point game for Rose. 

Joakim Noah had his best game of the season as well, scoring 14 points, adding 13 boards and dishing out seven seven assists. Kyle Korver was hitting from three, knocking 5-of-12 with an effective field-goal percentage of .653. 

Carlos Boozer, for a change, played his best late in the game and added 18 points and eight boards. 

After the game Sam Smith asked Noah if he ever fantasized about playing point guard, which brings up the tweet of the night. 

Apart from fantasizing about girls, Noah probably has nightmares about not being able to play with Rose. With the Howard rumors resurfacing today, Noah was playing like he doesn't want to leave and he wants to make it too hard to think about doing it. 

My completely biased opinion is that this is the best he's played since he hurt his thumb. He was just outstanding tonight and perhaps the lost thing in yesterday's game was Noah's impressive play there as well. 

I also believe that when Rose takes so much blame on himself, Noah gets a bit protective of him. He seems to think of him as like a little brother, and he personally assumes responsibilities to ensure Rose doesn't have to. 

All in all it was a decent enough game with the Bulls pulling well in front and letting the Wizards make things a little too interesting late in the fourth, but it was a win. All things considered it could be worse. They could have pulled a Thunder. 

With Rip Hamilton not playing, Luol Deng not playing and coming off the loss to the Heat it could have been difficult to completely regroup and play well enough to win. The Bulls did that. 

They'll play next in Philadelphia which should be their toughest opponent since yesterday. Philadelphia will be absolutely revved up to prove they are for real. It will be their toughest home test yet this season and it will be the Bulls third road game in four days. 

The 76ers have been running the score on some pretty weak teams, but don't let it fool you about the competition. Blowing out teams night after night proves they are a worthwhile opponent and they will be gunning for the Bulls. 

If that's not enough for you, remember the beatdown they put on Chicago in the United Center last year. I know Rose is going to remember.