Rose responds to missed FTs with 35-point game

Sure, the Bulls were playing the struggling Washington Wizards Monday, but the opponent hardly mattered to guard Derrick Rose.

He was ready to make amends for missing two late free throws against Miami while the Bulls trailed by a point. Before facing the Wizards, Rose told reporters the failure would only serve as motivation.

"It just makes me hungrier," he said. "Tonight, I'm going to try and go crazy."

Rose's response was a season-high 35 points as the Bulls beat Washington 98-88 at the Verizon Center. This was the second stop of the season-long nine-game road trip.

His goal was to be aggressive and Rose scored 13 points in the first quarter on 6-of-8 shooting. He finished the night going 14 for 15 at the foul line.

With three consecutive 30-point games, Rose's sprained left toe, which caused him to miss five games, appears to be a non-issue.

"He set the tone," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I think he's feeling a lot better. It's his will. He imposes his will on everybody. He made us very aggressive."

The Bulls' long trek continues in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Under former Bulls Coach Doug Collins, the Sixers are among the top teams in the Eastern Conference with a 15-6 record.

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