Nicked-Up Chicago Bulls Nick Knicks, 105-102

The Chicago Bulls may be nicked up, but that didn't keep them from beating the New York Knicks for their NBA-leading 19th win. 

Derrick Rose, once again, carried the Bulls in the fourth quarter and throughout the game. In all, Rose scored 32 points and had 13 assists. Counting the threes he assisted on, he accounted for 60 of the Bulls' points. Rose is now averaging 23.5 points per game and 8.0 assists. 

In the fourth quarter, Rose scored 15 of the Bulls' 27 points and assisted on two more.

It's safe to say he earned his All-Star selection. 

Once again the Bulls' defense was getting shredded, though. Without Luol Deng, it's just not the same.

In the past, it's seemed at times like head coach Tom Thibodeau would have to be put on suicide watch if Deng were traded, and watching the prolonged time without him, it's easy to see why.

Particularly when Kyle Korver has to start in place of Deng because Brewer is playing in place of Hamilton, the defense suffers.

Because Korver simply isn't quick enough to guard the quicker fours—and Andre Iguodala and Carmelo Anthony in back to back games are nightmare matchups for Korver—Joakim Noah has to come over to provide help defense. 

As a result, Boozer is left without the help that he usually gets and the end result is the Bulls get punished in the paint. 

When Deng is in the lineup, not only does he not need help, he's able to give help. Noah is able to give the help that Boozer needs, not having to worry about defending three positions at the same time. 

Tonight his four fouls were largely a result of trying to get back to help Boozer after having had to get out of position to help Korver. Honestly, tonight Korver did about the same thing I did for the Bulls' defense. He sat around watching the Knicks score on him. 

Yes, the Bulls miss Deng's 15 points per game, but they miss his defense even more. The Bulls were giving up an average of 85 points per game with Deng playing. Since he's gone down, they have been giving up 95 points per game. 

Luol Deng is worth 10 points per game on the defensive end—that's huge. I hope coaches think of that when they're filling out their ballots. Deng needs to be an All-Star. 

I'd also like to point out that the Bulls have played the most games (25) of any team in the NBA, the most road games (16) and the most back to backs (10) of any team in the NBA. They have done this missing 27 total games from their starters (in 25 games, mind you!) 

Lest you're thinking that all of this is excuses, let me remind you, the Bulls have the best record in the Eastern Conference and the most wins in the NBA. 

These aren't excuses for what the Bulls haven't done, but they are obstacles the Bulls have overcome in what they have accomplished. 

The Bulls' next game comes Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, who have been playing much better lately and beat the Miami Heat in their last game. There are rumors that Deng should be available for that game. 

The Bulls should also be slightly better rested as they'll be heading back to Chicago tonight and will at least be able to spend a couple of nights in their own beds.  They'll also see their schedule lighten up a bit now as they won't have more back to backs until after the All-Star Game.