Three Stars (leaderboard)

1. Derrick Rose: 29 points (.464 TS%), 6 rebounds, 4 assists

2. Luol Deng: 13 points (.341 TS%), 9 rebounds, played 50 of 53 minutes

3. Carlos Boozer: 13 points (.528 TS%), 16 rebounds

I’m not too upset about a one-point loss that turned in New York’s favor because of two remarkable 3-pointers by Carmelo Anthony and four straight missed free throws by Luol Deng and Derrick Rose. One small change and the end result is different; that doesn’t matter much.

But in a larger sense, the game was simultaneously reassuring and worrisome:

We got more evidence the Bulls have the skills and the mental fortitude to rally back from nearly any deficit, provided they have a fair amount of time.

And we also saw again what can happen to the Bulls’ offense when faced with a squadron of long, fast, amped-up defenders. Not that they’re alone in that regard, certainly, but it’s a weakness Miami — or even the Knicks themselves — will be glad to exploit in the playoffs.

Box Score

Record: 43-14, first in the NBA

Next: Tuesday 4/10 vs. New York, 8:30 CT