DALLAS -- Taj Gibson sat in front of his locker with an ice pack on his head as he scanned the box score he was holding in front of him.

Jimmy Butler sat across from Gibson scanning a sheet of his own before crumpling his up and throwing it on the ground.

The final score says the Bulls lost to the Dallas Mavericks 118-111 on Saturday night, the team's fourth loss in five games, but an easy argument could be made the Bulls played two of their best games of the season over the past two days. Had it not been for a meltdown of mental miscues late Saturday, the Bulls would have pulled off their most impressive wins of the year on back-to-back nights.

There were several reasons for optimism for this group after this two-game stretch, specifically that they started both games well and played with a consistent intensity that has been lacking most of the year. But the reason the Bulls should be happiest this weekend is because of the improved play of Derrick Rose. Yes, he made a few bad mistakes down the stretch in Saturday's loss, but he also played probably his best all-around game of the season after scoring 25 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists in 37 minutes. Most important, Rose went to the rim and was able to finish many times throughout the night, going 12-for-20 from the field.

"He kept us in it to tell you the truth," Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler said. "I think we got a lot of talented guys, but that's [the] Derrick that everybody wants to see. That's the Derrick that can take over a game. When he's playing like that, if everybody does their job, we win."

As frustrated as first-year head coach Fred Hoiberg must be at his team's up-and-down play, he has to feel pleased with Rose's recent performances. Hoiberg has talked openly about the fact he and Rose have discussed driving to the basket more. The difference recently, especially against the Mavericks, is that he is looking to get to the rim and create more space for himself and his teammates.

"We talked about getting a foot in the paint a lot," Hoiberg said. "If he can get a foot in the paint, it's going to open up things for everybody else. He's showing that burst right now. He's got that burst where he can get into the paint, had some really good finishes tonight all throughout the game."

Rose tried to take the blame for Saturday's loss because of his turnovers down the stretch, but his teammates weren't hearing it. They know how important he is, and they are trying to keep his confidence up at every turn. As usual, Rose didn't think he was playing any different than he usually does -- even if the numbers suggest otherwise.

"I think that I was playing my normal way," Rose said. "Shooting floaters, midrange, they were going under me on mid-range, a shot I can normally hit. I just saw there was a lot of things that were open."

The other major reason for positivity is the fact Nikola Mirotic had his best game of the season, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Like Rose, Mirotic's aggression was more prominent than it has been through most of the season.

"Obviously, when Niko's out there knocking down shots, it makes things easier for everybody," Hoiberg said. "Because that opens up the paint when you have to stay out there and guard him. So hopefully a confidence-builder for Niko in this game."

The difference in these two games was in the effort. The Bulls know what they need to do to get better, and as Butler said there are "lots of positives" for a group that hasn't had many over the past week. The Bulls have a packed schedule coming up full of pesky teams at home. It will be up to them to prove whether they have turned a corner or not.

"We just competed," Rose said. "We just came out and played hard. We had the lead -- we [were] up 10,12, still got to find ways to win games like that or bury teams. But it's still early, and it's still a long season."