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Considering their star player has not played a single game this season, the Bulls have managed to put together a very impressive season. They currently sit at 21-15, good enough for 5th place in the East.
And with Derrick Rose recently returning to practice with the team, things are good in Chicago.
Carlos Boozer has looked like his 2009 self as of late, with a renewed defensive mentality, and a larger role in the Chicago offense. Joakim Noah is proving he can be a legitimate scoring threat, averaging 12.3 points per game, to go along with an impressive 10.6 rebounds per game. As well, the combo of Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson have done a great job of filling in for Rose, and will easily go into a backup role once Rose does return.
But what the Bulls do best, and the main reason for their success, is their stifling defense. Arguably the best defense in the NBA, they allow just 91.4 points per game, and are in the top five of every defensive category. Their incredible defensive capabilities were put on display this passed Monday, as they limited the Hawks to 58 points... in the entire game.
It's not any individual player that makes this defence so successful, but instead the way the team play together, and their ability to help out on each other's match ups.
For the Raptors, they will need to carry last night's offensive success into tonight's game, as they're ability to score on this tough Chicago defense, will be the deciding factor.
GO RAPS!!