Former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose didn’t garner an All-Star berth, but he starred on Thursday in the league’s last game before the mid-season showcase.
Rose scored 30 points and handed out seven assists to lead the Bulls to a 113-98 victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tony Snell contributed 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting for the Bulls and Pau Gasol – who did get an All-Star nod – notched his 14th straight double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Joakim Noah added 10 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for Chicago, who head into the All-Star break leading the Cavs by 1 1/2 games atop the Central Division.
The contest was the only game on Thursday’s slate, and regular-season action won’t resume until next Thursday.
All-Star weekend festivities kick off in New York on Friday with the Rising Stars Challenge at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
