So far Derrick Rose is putting his game where is mouth is.
Luol Deng has 11 points and Rose nine on 4-for-9 shooting from the field to post the Chicago Bulls to a 31-21 lead over the Atlanta Hawks through one quarter at Philips Arena.
Al Horford leads Atlanta with 10 points, but is -10 while on the court. Josh Smith left the game with 4:40 left in the first quarter after picking up his second foul on a ridiculous shot by Rose.
The Bulls also had a double-digit lead the last time these two teams met here, only to blow the lead in the fourth quarter behind a career high-tying 31 points by Horford.
Rose vowed that the Bulls will never blow a lead like that in Atlanta again.
Of course, if they continue to shoot at a 67-percent (14-for-21) clip from the field, there's no way they'll lose this one.
Atlanta started by almost exclusively shooting jumpers before finally posting up inside. Nevertheless, they still trail Chicago by quite a bit. They're going to have to do something to front both Rose and Deng if they are to stand a chance in this one.