Chicago Bulls
Jan 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and forward Pau Gasol (16) during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the San Antonio Spurs 104-81. REUTERS/David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls responded to the explicit-laden interview of starting point guard Derrick Rose by handily disposing NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs, 104-81, to start a string of tough games ahead on a positive note. The Bulls played their most complete game of the season by displaying their vaunted defense and produced 6 players in double figures to complete a balanced attack on all fronts.

Tom Thibodeau’s team set the defensive tone early when Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson combined for four blocks to stifle the attacks of the Spurs. Rose followed through with his challenge to compete with 15 half points which came from an array of drives and pull up jumpers and three point baskets. Before the game, the former Most Valuable Player also backed his coach and admonished him of any role in the Bulls recent troubles, who are losers of 6 of the last 8 games and three straight at home.

"This don't have anything to do with Thibs at all," Rose told ESPN before the game against the Spurs. "The way that we've been playing don't have anything to do with Thibs. He's preparing us right. He's doing everything and did everything possible to prepare us as a coach. It's up to the players to give that effort."

Rose shifted the focus from all the talk of the Bulls’ struggles by displaying the athleticism that has made him a household name. He put up 22 points and 5 assists despite getting just 45 seconds of burn time in the final quarter to rest his legs which encountered some stiffness. Despite the injury concerns, Rose is reportedly still a go for the next game of the back to back against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday. Pau Gasol who was named to his first All-Star game start and his fifth overall appearance, contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds while erasing 2 blocks.

The Spurs were paced by 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard with 16 markers and has two only other players reaching double figures in Australian Patty Mills with 12 and Canadian player Cory Joseph with 11 points. The seventh-placed Spurs out West will try to get back on the winning track by tackling the visiting Los Angeles Lakers Friday.

For concerns on this article, contact the writer at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.