The Bulls stepped up in class Friday night at the United Center. Rather than playing bad teams like Indiana,Washington and Minnesota,they faced a very good Western Conference Portland team, and they committed 21 turnovers,many in key spots, but Derrick Rose and Luol Deng helped save them as they beat the Trail Blazers 115-111 in overtime to improve to 6-1 since the All Starr break. The Bulls led the entire first half,including by a point at half time. Rose was just shy of his career high with 33 points and Deng added 23 including 7 in overtime which the Bulls controlled. Rose put in a dozen in the fourth quarter,but just missed a floater just before the buzzer that could have avoided OT. The Bulls made up for the poor ball handling by out-rebounding the very athletic Blazers 43-19 including 11 by Joakim Noah who was hurting after the game and said he would not travel with the Bulls to Indianapolis for Saturday night’s rematch with the Pacers.LaMarcus Aldridge, once drafted by the Bulls,but quickly swapped for Tyrus Thomas, led Portland with 32,and Brandon Roy added 23 for Portland.

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