Rose and the Bulls Demolish Celtics To Take Commanding 4 Game Lead For #1 Seed In Eastern Conference

CHICAGO, IL. It was another important game on the calendar for the Bulls, and although there were other ways of still getting the #1 seed in the East, the Bulls knew that this was also an important game to make a statement to the entire league.

After a dominating performance in front of their home fans, the Chicago Bulls definitely made their statement: "We are for real."

The Chicago Bulls are the most dominant team in the league since the All-Star Break.

Doc Rivers downplayed the meaning of the game before tip-off, acknowledging that it probably meant more to the Bulls than it did to his team, but that was clearly a ruse. Boston came into the game trailing Chicago in the race for the top seed by 3 games. A win would have cut the lead to only two games with 4 games left.

Boston seemed very interested in getting the win, coming out of the gate with energy for the opening two and a half minutes, causing the Bulls to take a 20 sec timeout early on.

However, by the end of the first quarter, the Bulls had seized control of the game for a 26 - 18 lead. Rose had 10 points for the Bulls in the opening quarter.

Boston kept close to Chicago until the 3rd quarter, when they were able to break through for a 49 - 48 lead on a Rondo lay-up. However, the Bulls defense clamped down on the Celtics and held them scoreless for the next 4:32, and over that time, the Bulls had rebuilt the lead back up to 9 points and never looked back. They went on to win by a final of 97 - 81.

It was the first meeting between the two teams since the trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Critics of the trade said that the Celtics had given away a great deal of rebounding and inside toughness. The stats on the night seem to support this with the Bulls outrebounding Boston 44 to 35 and the Bulls dominating inside scoring to the tune of 44 points to Boston's 22 inside points.

With the victory, the Chicago Bulls extended their lead on Boston and Miami for the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference to 4 games. Their magic number for locking up the top spot is 1 game, and they can seal the deal with a win tomorrow night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Derrick Rose likewise made his own statement with another dominating performance against Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics: "When it's a big game, I dominate. I AM the NBA MVP."

DRose dominated the PG matchup going 30 pts, 8 ast, 5 reb vs Rondo 7 pts, 6 ast, 5 reb. 

Derrick Rose dominated another top point guard in the league, and his efficient 9 for 16 shooting on the way to 30 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, was the result of blowing by Rondo and attacking the basket.

In addition, Rose once again had another great game for the Bulls in another important game. When the spotlight shines, Rose has been the star that has been the brightest. Rose led the team with an incredibly efficient game, and the complete domination of the Boston Celtics showed on the faces of Garnett, Pierce, and Big Baby. Garnett admitted to the "ass-whoopin" they had just received.

To all the sports writers and basketball statistics gurus out there who can't seem to wrap their head around it, there is only one statistic that matters in the MVP race, and that is WINS.

The Bulls have the most WINS since the All-Star Break. They have the most WINS in a stacked Eastern Conference. And Rose is the only 2011 All-Star on his team.

And the fact that Miami has two "MVP candidates" and three 2011 All-Stars AND less wins than the Bulls means that each of their "MVPs" is less than half as important as Rose is to the Chicago Bulls.

And if you really think that Lebron James should win the MVP because he can stuff the stat box against the Cavs and the Timberwolves even though, when the chips are down, he can't lead his team to a WIN when the ball is in his hands, then I don't know what to tell you.

I just know that I wouldn't really need a player like that very much, and I think that the Chicago Bulls would agree with me.

Here are some highlights from BOSTON CELTICS at CHICAGO BULLS: