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CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls grinded out a 77-69 win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Tuesday night at the United Center. Philadelphia leads the series 3-2.

How it happened: After struggling for three consecutive games, Luol Deng finally bounced back, scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Carlos Boozer scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds. As usual, Taj Gibson played with energy and passion, scoring eight points, grabbing five rebounds and giving the Bulls an emotional boost, especially after coming back into the game in the fourth quarter after spraining his ankle. Jrue Holiday led the Sixers with 16 points, but it wasn't enough as the Bulls ramped up their defensive pressure throughout the night.

What it means: The Bulls all talked about not going down without a fight Tuesday night, and they finally showed the grit and determination that pushed them to 50 regular-season wins. Deng finally took charge of an offense that looked rudderless at times in the first half. He was very frustrated with the way he had been playing and wanted to turn things around, so this win has to feel especially good for him. Boozer bounced back from a sluggish first half to knock down several big shots in the third quarter. Gibson played well off the bench, but Ronnie Brewer has to feel great about his performance. After being benched in Game 3, Brewer responded by playing with a lot of grit in Game 5, scoring six points and grabbing eight rebounds.

As we get set for Game 6, there are two key issues to keep in mind. First, Tom Thibodeau once again decided to bench Rip Hamilton in the fourth quarter. Hamilton had just six points in 18 minutes, but it was better than Kyle Korver's stat line. Korver missed the only shot he took. If the Bulls want to win Thursday, they must get more production from both. Secondly, Joakim Noah, who sprained his left ankle badly in Game 3, has been telling people he wants to return for Game 6. The question becomes, can he get healthy in time to perform at a high level Thursday?

Bold play of the game: With the shot clock running down and his team leading 74-65 with 1:32 left, Deng knocked down a huge 3-pointer that essentially ended the game.

Stat of the night: The Sixers shot 32 percent from the field.

What's next: Game 6 is Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 109-92 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Tuesday at the United Center. The series is tied at a game apiece.

How it happened: After heading into halftime with a 55-47 lead, the Bulls got absolutely blitzed in the second half. They got outworked and outhustled in almost every phase of the game. Jrue Holiday dominated the Bulls' defense, scoring 26 points. Evan Turner had another solid game, scoring 17 points. Lou Williams added 20 after struggling in Game 1. Joakim Noah led the way for the Bulls with 21 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn't nearly enough. C.J. Watson, starting in place of the injured Derrick Rose, struggled to find a rhythm as the starting point guard, scoring just 12 points while Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer played poorly throughout the game.

What it means: This was the nightmare Tom Thibodeau didn't want in his first playoff game without Rose. The Sixers beat the Bulls at their own game. They got almost every loose ball, and their defense was better. The Bulls' offense couldn't make many shots in the second half, and aside from Noah, the starters provided next to nothing. What has to be most disconcerting for Thibodeau is that once Philadelphia took the lead, the Bulls seemed to just stop fighting and started taking bad shots. Without Rose there to set them straight, the Bulls allowed the Sixers to walk all over them and didn't respond. Obviously, any team can have a bad game, especially after losing its best player, but the Bulls' problem is that the defense and rebounding that have been key for them all season weren't there for them. Having Rose would have helped immensely, but the problems went deeper than that Tuesday night. If the Bulls want to get the lead back in this series, they have got to get more from Boozer and Deng. Watson must play more consistently as well.

Stat of the night: The Bulls were outscored 52-32 in the paint. They were outscored 25-8 in fast-break points. They were outrebounded 38-32. That's the trifecta of bad as far as Thibodeau is concerned.

Bold play of the game: Pick pretty much any play the Sixers ran in the second half. They outscored the Bulls 36-14 and dominated them in every aspect of the game.

What's next: Game 3 is Friday in Philadelphia.

CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 103-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at the United Center. The Bulls lead the series 1-0.

How it happened: The Bulls got the type of offensive balance Tom Thibodeau has been hoping for all season. Derrick Rose scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out nine assists. He also shook off a lot of rust in the process, considering this was just his sixth game in a month and a half. But the only thing people will care about is how Rose is feeling. He fell to the floor after going to the rim for a layup with 1:04 left in the game and appeared to be grabbing his left knee. He was helped to the locker room by trainers and could barely put weight on the injured knee. Rip Hamilton had a big day, scoring 19 points, while Luol Deng chipped in 17 points and six rebounds. Joakim Noah gave the Bulls the energy they needed early, scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

What it means: This was exactly the start the Bulls wanted. Aside from Carlos Boozer, each starter scored in double figures and played well most of the game. Rose looked refreshed and got more confident as the game went on. Deng played solid defense all game and held Philadelphia guard Andre Iguodala to just 11 points. Hamilton turned back the clock and knocked down jumper after jumper early in the game. He finally looked like the player the Bulls expected when they signed him before the season. The only thing that matters now, though, is Rose's health. Obviously, if he has to miss a significant amount of time, any designs the Bulls had on winning a championship go down with him. The vibe in the United Center felt like a funeral after the game ended. Everyone feared the worst after Rose went to the floor.

Stat of the night: The Bulls had 27 assists.

Bold play of the game: With his team leading by eight points and trying to find a way to close out the game early, Kyle Korver knocked down a 3-pointer with 1:04 left in the third quarter that gave the Bulls an 11-point lead and a jolt of momentum heading into the final quarter.

What's next: Game 2 is Tuesday night at the United Center.

MIAMI -- Here’s a quick look at how the Miami Heat earned an 83-72 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena.

How it happened: Playing without Derrick Rose (ankle, foot) for the 26th time this season, the Bulls could not find any offense. They shot just 36 percent from the field and struggled to find any consistency. John Lucas III led the Bulls with 16 points off the bench, Joakim Noah added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Luol Deng chipped in with 11 points. The Bulls now lead the Heat by just one game in the loss column for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

What it means: All teams look tired during this lockout-shortened season, but playing their fourth game in five nights caught up to the Bulls. Not only was Miami's defense strong from start to finish, the Bulls looked gassed. Aside from the fatigue, the other major problem for the Bulls is that they got basically nothing from their starting backcourt. Richard Hamilton and C.J. Watson combined to go just 1-for-9 from the field. Lucas and Deng combined to go 10-for-31 and Carlos Boozer did not bring much to the table. Boozer struggled on both ends of the floor 10 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes.

With the uncertain status regarding Rose and his ankle, the Bulls have to find a better way to produce offensively. They will not be able to play like this and get through the postseason if Rose can't return to being the player he was before he got hurt.

Bold play of the game: LeBron James' performance early set the tone in this one. He scored 15 points in the first quarter and was able to open up the floor for the rest of his teammates. The Bulls had no answer for him.

Stats of the night: The Heat out-rebounded the Bulls 45-40 and outscored them 36-20 in the paint. The Bulls went just 2-for-16 from beyond the arc.

What's next: The Bulls have a day off Friday. They will play the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night.

CHARLOTTE. -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 100-68 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

How it happened: Playing without Derrick Rose (foot) and Luol Deng (ribs), Richard Hamilton had his best game of the season with 22 points and six assists. Joakim Noah added 12 points and five rebounds. Carlos Boozer had 10 points and seven rebounds.

What it means: The Bulls did what they had to do in this one. After a terrible performance against the Washington Wizards on Monday night, the Bulls dominated Wednesday from the start against an awful Charlotte team. The defense was crisp, the rebounding was better, and the Bulls didn't mess around. Coach Tom Thibodeau wanted his team to set a tone early, and that's what they did. They did anything they wanted on both ends of the floor and played with more of an edge. Hamilton was great, and the Bulls' bench bounced back with 42 points after a couple sluggish performances. This was exactly the type of game Thibodeau wanted to see from his team. Aside from the win, the best news for Thibodeau is that no Bulls' starter played more than 24 minutes. This game had the look and feel of a spring training baseball contest when each team pulls their starters after the fifth inning. The sad part of the Bobcats is that most people wouldn't know the difference between their starters and reserves because the talent level is so low on this team right now.

Stat of the night: The Bobcats have now lost 18 games in a row.

Bold play of the game: It's tough to pick out one key play considering this game was over in the first quarter, but Taj Gibson's dunk with 5:31 left in the second quarter has a good chance to make SportsCenter.

What's next: The Bulls have a showdown Thursday night with the Miami Heat. The big question is: Will Rose and Deng play?

CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Washington Wizards stunned the Chicago Bulls 87-84 on Monday night at the United Center.

How it happened: Playing without Derrick Rose (foot) and Luol Deng (ribs) the Bulls looked lifeless throughout the night and suffered one of their worst losses of the year. Kevin Seraphin led the Wizards with 21 points and 13 rebounds and the Bulls simply did not have an answer. The only good news for the Bulls was that Rip Hamilton finally played crunch-time minutes (34 total on the night) and scored 22 points. Still, the Bulls should be embarrassed by the way they played.

What it means: Don't use Rose and Deng's injuries as an excuse. Don't use the poor officiating, either -- it was bad on both ends. The Bulls were absolutely awful in this one and got exactly what they deserved. They played with no energy on the second night of a back-to-back and allowed a bad team to hang around. They did the same thing on Sunday night in Detroit, but Rose was able to bail them out in the end. The Bulls didn't have Rose on Monday but it shouldn't have mattered. They got absolutely dominated in the paint and didn't show the type of focus that has propelled them this year. Tom Thibodeau has to be concerned that his group can't develop the type of rhythm they need before the postseason begins.

Stat of the night: The Wizards outscored the Bulls in the paint, 48-22.

Bold play of the game: With 15 seconds left and the Wizards clinging to a one-point lead, veteran Maurice Evans went to the line and dropped in two clutch free throws, giving the Wizards a three-point lead they wouldn't relinquish.

What's next: The Bulls have a day off Tuesday before facing off against the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls pulled out a 100-94 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

How it happened: Derrick Rose saved the day one more time. Rose scored 24 points and made crucial plays down the stretch, including knocking down a 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime. Joakim Noah had his best game in several weeks, scoring 20 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Kyle Korver had another solid performance off the bench scoring 13 points.

What it means: The Bulls went long stretches in this game without playing with much energy. They couldn't score and their defense wasn't crisp at various points, but as has been the case over the past year and a half under Tom Thibodeau -- they still found a way to win. Rose started looking more like the player he was before all the injuries this season. Noah played with the intensity that Thibodeau has been seeking from him, and his 13 offensive rebounds tied an NBA season high. Carlos Boozer knocked down several big shots late in the game. There are lots of good signs to take from this game for Thibodeau. But there are also several red flags ...

The Bulls allowed a bad Pistons team to hang around most of the night and almost steal the game. The bigger issue is that the starters, as a collective group, still look very rusty. This game should become a public service reminder for fans who believe Rose and Co. should sit down the stretch. They need to work together in order to work out all the kinks. They still have time to do so, but they definitely shouldn't sit the rest of the way, even if the Bulls clinch the number one seed in the East. Sunday's game reinforces that everyone still needs the work.

Stat of the night: The Bulls have now won 15 consecutive games against the Pistons.

Bold play of the game: With 6.4 seconds left to play and his team trailing by three points, Rose knocked down a 3-pointer which tied the game and followed that up with contesting Rodney Stuckey's game-winning shot attempt. The Bulls used the momentum Rose gave them to run past the Pistons in overtime.

What's next: The Bulls are right back at it Monday night when they take on the Washington Wizards.

CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls earned a 96-86 overtime win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night at the United Center:

How it happened: C.J. Watson had one of his most impressive games as a Bull, scoring 16 points with nine assists in place of an ineffective Derrick Rose. The Bulls' Bench Mob is the reason they won. Taj Gibson had 11 points with five rebounds, and Kyle Korver added 17 points. Carlos Boozer set the early tone, and finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

What it means: The Bulls' Bench Mob deserves all the credit in this one, but the main storyline will be Rose's struggles. After sitting out Tuesday night's game because of an ankle injury, Rose came back and looked very rusty. In one of the worst games of his career, Rose went 1-for-13 from the field and scored just two points. Obviously, Rose has to get back in rhythm, given he missed most of March because of a groin injury, but it looks like he is still struggling with both injuries. He was very frustrated throughout the game and on the bench. Coach Tom Thibodeau made the right decision to stick with Watson down the stretch. In almost every other case, Rose should be on the floor, but Watson had the hot hand and Rose was so ice cold that he made the decision easier for his coach.

Aside from Rose's struggles, the Bulls have to feel great about pulling out a win in this one. They basically did it without an effective Rose and Joakim Noah, who came out midway through the third quarter and didn't return until the end of overtime when Gibson fouled out. The Bulls' defense stepped up when it had to, and shut down LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in overtime. The Heat thought they had stolen one, but the Bulls pulled it right back in the end. In the process, they all but locked up the No. 1 seed in the East. They are up three games in the loss column with seven to play.

Stat of the night: The Bulls' bench outscored the Heat's bench 47-7.

Bold play of the game: With his team trailing by three late, Watson knocked down a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

What's next: The Bulls have a day off Friday before taking on the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

NEW YORK -- Let's take a quick look at how the New York Knicks knocked off the Chicago Bulls 100-99 in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

How it happened: After sitting on the bench for 12 straight games because of a groin injury, Derrick Rose almost pulled off a triumphant return against the Knicks, but it wasn't meant to be. Carmelo Anthony knocked down a game-winning three pointer with 8.2 seconds remaining in overtime. Rose scored 29 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists, but the Bulls didn't make enough plays at the end of the game to win. Carlos Boozer had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Luol Deng added 13 points, but it was Anthony who shined brightest with a game-high 43.

What it means: After coming all the way back from a 21-point deficit, it's hard to believe the Bulls actually gave this one away but that's what they did. They had a chance to close this game out several times, but they couldn't do it. Anthony’s three that tied the game up late in regulation came after Rose and Deng each missed two free throws. The Bulls will kick themselves when they watch tape of this one. Tom Thibodeau didn't want to overwork Rose in his return, but Rose ended up playing 39 minutes. It will be interesting to see how he fares later in the week.

Bold play of the game: With just 8.2 seconds left, Anthony did what the Bulls couldn't do in this one: Hit a clutch shot.

Stat of the night: Anthony had 43 points on the Bulls' vaunted defense.

What's next: The Bulls face off against the Knicks again on Tuesday night at the United Center.

CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls earned a 93-86 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at the United Center.

How it happened: Luol Deng exploded in the second half, finishing the game with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists as the Bulls avoided their first three-game, regular-season losing streak in the Tom Thibodeau era. Carlos Boozer had another solid performance, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Joakim Noah added 17 points and nine rebounds.

What it means: The Bulls needed this one to regain some confidence, and the players knew it. Having dropped two regular-season games in a row for the first time in almost 14 months, and having to play without Derrick Rose yet again, the Bulls wanted to do anything they could to get back on track. Deng made sure that happened. After struggling mightily on both ends of the floor in the first half, Deng stepped up his game and put the Bulls on his back. He scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, hitting several big shots down the stretch. The only concerning sign for Tom Thibodeau in this one is that The Bench Mob didn't give the Bulls the usual jolt they've provided throughout the year, but Thibodeau won't worry about that tonight. He's just happy his team got another win and played defense late in the game the way they've been playing all season.

Stat of the night: After scoring 17 points in the first half, Paul Pierce scored just five in the second half.

Bold play of the game: With his team up by six points and looking to lock up the game, Deng knocked down a jumper that gave the Bulls an eight-point lead it wouldn't relinquish.

What's next: The Bulls take on the New York Knicks Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. Rose said on Thursday morning he would be playing 'for sure'. It will be interesting to see what Thibodeau decides.

Oklahoma City -- Let's take a quick look at how the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Chicago Bulls 92-78 on Sunday afternoon at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

How it happened: Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant dominated most of the day. The pair combined for 53 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists -- doing seemingly whatever they wanted on both ends of the floor. The Bulls allowed the Thunder to control the pace of the game and seemed very lethargic through long stretches of the contest. The Bulls' defense, which has been one of the best in the league all year, had one of its worst performances in the Tom Thibodeau era. Kyle Korver was one of the only bright spots on the day for the Bulls, scoring 14 points. John Lucas III added 19 points off the bench.

What it means: The Bulls were awful in this one. Obviously, they miss having Derrick Rose and Rip Hamilton on the floor, but the pair's absence wasn't why they lost this game. The Bulls lost because they got blitzed from start to finish by an extremely talented group. The Thunder outworked the Bulls on almost every level and were clearly the more aggressive team for 48 minutes. Thibodeau looked disgusted most of the day and it's easy to understand why. He is used to seeing his team scratch and claw for every inch they get on the floor -- but they didn't do that against Oklahoma City. They let Westbrook, Durant and their teammates do whatever they wanted.

Stat of the night: The Thunder shot 49 percent from the field while the Bulls shot just 33 percent.

Breaking it open:The Thunder came out of halftime leading by 10, they finished the third leading by 29. They came out at the beginning of the quarter trying to end the game, and that's exactly what they did. They had more energy and hit from all angles on the floor. It was arguably the worst quarter the Bulls have played under Thibodeau.

What’s next: The Bulls are right back at it Monday night when they take on the Houston Rockets. Rose will likely miss his 11th consecutive game, while Rip Hamilton will be a game-time decision because of a shoulder injury.

CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls earned a win over the Detroit Pistons -- their 14th straight -- 83-71 on Friday night at the United Center.

How it happened: Playing without Derrick Rose (groin) and Rip Hamilton (shoulder) yet again, the rest of the Bulls' stars led the way on this night. Luol Deng had 20 points and nine rebounds, Joakim Noah added 19 points and 12 rebounds while Carlos Boozer added 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls offense didn't have much rhythm in the game, but the defense was solid when it had to be.

What it means: Whenever the Bulls pick up a victory without Rose they should feel good. They didn't play particularly well on this night, but they found a way to win and that has been a hallmark of Tom Thibodeau's team for the past two seasons. The Pistons shot just 37 percent from the field and struggled to get clean looks at the rim. That's a credit to the plan the Bulls had in place. They didn't have a lot of offensive firepower but they played solid defense most of the night, especially towards the end of the game.

Stats of the night: The Bulls out-rebounded the Pistons 53-37.

Bold play of the game: With his team leading by 10 points and just under a minute remaining, Noah drove down the side of the paint and stuffed home a major dunk over Pistons big man Jason Maxiell.

What's next: The Bulls have a showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon. With the way Derrick Rose looked before Friday night's game, it's hard to believe that he will be able to play.

ATLANTA -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls rolled past the Atlanta Hawks 98-77 on Wednesday night at Philips Arena.

How it happened: Luol Deng led the Bulls with 22 points, Carlos Boozer added 20 points and nine rebounds and Taj Gibson might have had his best of the season scoring 19 points and grabbing six rebounds. The Bulls' bench played very well in this game outscoring the Hawks' bench 37-23.

What it means: The Bulls did exactly what they were supposed to do in this one. They took advantage of a tired Atlanta team that was playing its fifth game in six nights. After a sluggish start, they controlled the pace and ramped up the defensive intensity on the defensive end. Tom Thibodeau was very upset with the way his team has been playing of late, but he will be pleased with this effort. The Bulls defended, they rebounded and they took care of the ball. When they do that, they are tough to beat.

Stat of the night: The Bulls were 9-for-15 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Bold play of the night: The Bulls led most of the night, but they let a 54-42 lead turn into a slim 56-52 advantage early in the third quarter. That's when Thibodeau's team turned on the jets. The Bulls went on a 20-2 run at point and finished the quarter with a 16 point lead. That gave them a cushion they wouldn't give up.

What's next: The Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons Friday night at the United Center.

CHICAGO -- Let's take a quick look at how the Denver Nuggets earned an impressive 108-91 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night at the United Center.

How it happened: C.J. Watson scored 17 points and dished out eight assists, but it wasn't enough as the Bulls got blown out of their own building. Denver guards Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo combined for 49 points and controlled the tempo most of the night. John Lucas III had a solid night off the bench, scoring 14 points, but the Bulls made too many mistakes to pick up the win.

What it means: The Bulls could have used Derrick Rose in this one, but even he may not have made the difference. The Bulls were simply out-worked for most of the night. Tom Thibodeau wasn't happy with the way his team performed the past two games against the Toronto Raptors and he certainly won't be pleased with the effort the Bulls showed in this one. Joakim Noah and Luol Deng combined for just 11 points and didn't have much of an impact on the game. What has to be more disconcerting for Thibodeau is the fact that his team continues to play poor defense. Solid defense and rebounding have been bedrocks of Thibodeau's tenure in Chicago and both were problem areas for the Bulls on Monday night.

Stats of the night: The Nuggets outscored the Bulls 54-24 in the paint. The Nuggets out-rebounded the Bulls 45-32.

Bold play of the game: The Nuggets absolutely dominated the Bulls in the second half, outscoring them 54-39 .The Nuggets played with more fire and ran Thibodeau's team up and down the floor.

What's next: The Bulls hope to get back on track Wednesday night when they take on the Atlanta Hawks.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Let's take a quick look at how the Chicago Bulls earned an impressive 85-59 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night at the Amway Center.

How it happened: Playing without Derrick Rose (groin) for the fourth consecutive game, the Bulls put together probably their best defensive effort of the season. Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 13 rebounds. John Lucas III had a huge game off the bench, scoring 20 points, while Luol Deng added 14.

What it means: The final score may not have looked pretty, but it was beautiful to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. Given who they were playing (the Magic) and who they were playing without (Rose) this might have been the best game the Bulls have played all year. Their defense was on-point all night and they didn't allow the Magic to get going from beyond the arc. Orlando was just 4-for-20 from 3-point range and the Bulls contested almost every shot. The Bulls were the better team from start to finish and they played even better at the end than they did in the beginning.

Bold play of the game: The Bulls made plenty of solid defensive plays,which is fitting because it came on a night in which they earned Thibodeau his 100th career victory. With the win, Thibodeau became the fastest coach in NBA history to record his 100th win.

Stats of the night: The Bulls set a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a regular-season game, giving up just 59. Their previous low was against the Milwaukee Bucks in 1997 when they gave up 62.

What's next: The Bulls are scheduled to practice in Orlando before flying to Toronto Tuesday afternoon. They face off against the Raptors on Wednesday night.