NBA Thursday: Rose leads Bulls over Knicks, CP3 vaults Clippers over Warriors

Paul and Curry did some of their best work in the second half, with the two combining for 47 points. 32 of those points came in the fourth quarter alone as the two went back and forth.

Team-wise, the Clippers attempted a whopping 50 free throws, had 27 assists, 15 steals and 16 offensive rebounds. The Warriors made 12-of-21 from three, had 26 assists and turned it over 25 times. And to top it all off, the two teams combined for 65 fouls. Pretty crazy stuff.

Sources are confirming...

Yup, Blake Griffin can definitely dunk.

The fourth quarter of this game was far more interesting than the rest of it. Chicago was in control through three quarters, taking a 71-61 lead into the final frame. Then the drama began.

The Knicks outscored the Bulls, 20-11, over the final 12 minutes, but Rose shook off a miserable shooting performance to save the day in his regular-season return to Chicago. The point guard is clearly still shaking off the rust from ACL surgery, as his shot fell wayward and uncharacteristic turnovers came at inopportune times.

Rose has just four points on 2-for-11 shooting and just one assist, but the Bulls’ defense has taken care of its superstar.

• Longform: How the Pistons became a team apart from Detroit

First off, sure, no professional athlete wants to go into a game feeling inferior to his opponent. Second, um, whoa. That’s a little strong. No one is calling Felton handicapped, but he is currently hampered by a lingering left hamstring issue and Rose is one of the fastest, strongest, most dynamic players on the planet. Teams gear their entire defensive schemes toward stopping him. Felton, like every opposing point guard, will need and have help.

The Knicks and Bulls will meet at 8 p.m. Thursday at the United Center. It will be televised on TNT. Let’s see how the point guards fare.

After a hectic Wednesday schedule, the NBA quiets down to two games on Thursday, but each are more than worthy of the national spotlight.

8 p.m. ET, TNT

In Chicago’s 107-95 loss to Miami on Tuesday, Rose scored 12 points and dished out four assists but shot only 4-for-15 from the floor and had five turnovers.

• Longform: How the Pistons became a team apart from Detroit

Coming off the delicious platter of games that fans were treated to Wednesday night, the NBA season treks on Thursday with a measly two-game slate. Luckily, the pair of nationally-televised contests are about as tasty as hoops lovers could ask for.

• Longform: How the Pistons became a team apart from Detroit