• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Thunder-Bulls Preview

Jan 3, 2010 - 8:45 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Oklahoma City (18-15) at Chicago (14-17), 8:00 p.m. EDT

After speculation began about their coach's job status, Derrick Rose has helped the Chicago Bulls respond by playing their best basketball of the season.

The Bulls, however, might have trouble extending their win streak if Kevin Durant has another stellar performance for the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.

After Chicago's 10-17 start, rumors began circulating the team had already decided to fire coach Vinny Del Negro but would allow him to stay on during the search for his replacement.

Since then, the Bulls (14-17) have reeled off a season-high four straight wins, including Saturday night's 101-93 home victory over Southeast Division-leading Orlando.

Rose led the way with 30 points, two shy of matching his career high set Dec. 19 against Atlanta. Beginning with that watershed performance, the second-year guard has averaged 25.1 points over the last seven games and scored at least 22 in the past three.

Hampered by the pain from a preseason ankle injury, Rose had 20 or more points in three of his first 18 games.

"He's a totally different player," forward Taj Gibson said. "He's looking to get everybody involved. He's taking his shots well. He's taking over the game sometimes when we need him to. Everybody's clicking right now."

Rose's performances have helped Chicago score 99.8 points per game during its win streak after averaging 90.9 in its first 27 games. Its defense has also made strides in the past five games, giving up an average of 89.6 points after previously allowing 98.6 per contest.

"If we continue to play this way, good things are going to happen for us," Rose said.

Chicago's defense had its best effort of the season in holding Orlando to 35.9 percent shooting, but will face a stern challenge in trying to slow Durant.

The third-year forward, who preceded Rose as the 2008 NBA rookie of the year, has scored 30 or more points in a club-record seven straight games but his 31 on Saturday night in Milwaukee couldn't prevent the end of a season-high five-game win streak.

Russell Westbrook was the only other player in double figures in the 103-97 overtime loss with 17 points, and Durant was held to 10 in the second half and overtime.

"I made shots and missed some I should have made. That's going to happen in this game," Durant said. "We would have liked to have had this one, but they made more plays down the stretch. It's a tough loss, but we just have to get back to work."

Durant had 28 points in the previous matchup with the Bulls, but the Thunder (18-15) couldn't stop Rose in a 103-96 home loss on March 18. He scored 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting, and John Salmons added 20.

Durant also had 28 points in last season's 109-98 overtime victory at the United Center, and Nick Collison scored 21. Rose finished with 16 points on 8-of-18 shooting.

The Bulls have won five of six between the teams since Dec. 13, 2006, when the team was located in Seattle.