Bulls block franchise-record 18 shots in victory over Nuggets

Derrick Rose's dagger with 24 seconds to go may have sealed it, but the Chicago Bulls' 106-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday was all about the defense.

So yes, 2015 is going to be a lot like 2014 for the Bulls, who appear to be rounding into form on the defensive end. The Bulls blocked a franchise-record 18 shots in the win, with Pau Gasol contributing nine of them, a career-high for the Spaniard.

Gasol also added 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists and Jimmy Butler had yet another incredible outing, scoring 26 points with eight rebounds and eight dimes. Butler had just a single block, though, hardly contributing to the record total. Joakim Noah kicked in three, Taj Gibson and Rose had a pair and diminutive Aaron Brooks had one, as well.

Rose's offensive struggles continued, however, and despite the late clutch jumper, it's a troubling trend. Rose said earlier this week he wasn't worried about it, but he's now 14-of-60 over the past three games. The Bulls will obviously let him shoot his way through it, but defenses will continue to dare him to shoot, as the Nuggets did Thursday.

Those poor Nuggets, though. They couldn't get a clean shot off at all, ultimately shooting 40.2 percent from the floor. They grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to keep them in the game with a moribund offense - Kenneth Faried had seven of them en route to an 18-point, 19-rebound performance - but couldn't hit from outside or within the flow of their offense.

That's what head coach Tom Thibodeau's defense does, and while it hasn't been quite up to his lofty standards so far this season, the 23-10 Bulls seem to get better at that end by the week. That's not terrifying for the rest of the Eastern Conference at all.