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Yes, there he was again Saturday. You know, that Derrick Rose, the one who gives the Bulls a chance, as they so often say, to do something special this season.

That Derrick Rose was there for the Bulls when they were about to lose a game to the Philadelphia 76ers that would have to continue to raise doubts about the team’s ability to be a serious playoff contender. It was that Derrick Rose down the stretch in the Bulls 114-107 win, scoring three baskets on tough drives, getting a crucial steal and adding a spectacular assist for a clinching score that only a few players in NBA annals could make.

The championship talk from this Bulls team has been like jousting at windmills, more imagined challenges than real. But with Rose the possibilities exist giants can be slain.

“It was fun, definitely fun,” said Rose, who had 22 points without a turnover, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals in just over 28 minutes. “Just happy to be playing again, excited and winning games. That’s what it’s all about.

“I’m getting there,” Rose added. “It’s still going to take time. I’m just happy I have the teammates I have. When a guy misses so many games and comes back and trying to find my way through, they are staying with me, sticking with me. I am grateful, excited and just filled with joy I am back playing.”

It’s a joy not only to watch Rose when he plays like that, streaking by defenders, contorting his body around obstacles to get the ball into the basket, flashing back on defense to help with a steal or rebound, seeing an opening for a pass no one else does. Or can make.

Such was the play with about 30 seconds left and the Bulls hanging onto a 110-106 lead against a 76ers team not only about to be 18-62 but without a point guard and with nine players. For the Bulls, it was a worrisome victory given the inferior level of the opponent, the Bulls’ defense again lackluster with Philadelphia scoring so much with 13 threes. Rose more than ever is needed to make the difference.

Rose dribbled the ball out of the backcourt with 42.7 seconds left after Glenn Robinson made one of two free throws. The Bulls were trying to run down the clock as Rose dribbled languidly toward the top of the key. Suddenly, two 76ers rushed Rose, forcing him back toward the midcourt line without any real outlet. Rose’s momentum was just about to carry him into the backcourt for a turnover when he leapt in the air, squared his body and fired a pass 45 feet through two 76ers’ defenders in the lane to Taj Gibson, who dunked the ball for a 112-106 lead with 28.9 seconds left and the game.

You just don’t see plays like that.

“Just trying to push myself,” said Rose. “Getting in rhythm and attacking and getting used to having the ball in my hand in certain situations. I just know I’m going to be in a good position when the playoffs start. Every time I step on the floor I try to give my best, try to give my all out there. I’m trying to figure this thing out.

“Every game I play is a stride,” said Rose. “Every day I go in there work out, do my rehab or training is a stride, step forward; every day is a positive day even if I have a bad game or having a bad day. Not playing for so long and playing here and there, it’s all right. I think I’m built for it.”

There are those who suggest the Bulls are better off without Rose, maybe should move on. Sure, some is frustration with Rose missing so much of the last three years as he comes up on the third anniversary (excuse him if he doesn’t celebrate) of his anterior crucial ligament tear. Though consider the frustration for someone who loves and lives for the game so much more than anyone else. And then keeps coming back, and coming back, and coming back, to defend against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and take arms against his sea of troubles. Sure, it’s painful and unfair. But it could always be worse, and not to fight is not to be true to yourself and your teammates. If not to your destiny, then to the possibilities.

Success, to quote Winston Churchill, who supposedly could box out with the best of them, is going from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm. So it is with Rose who returns and returns and returns, and with less appreciation than condemnation. But games like Saturday show what the Bulls know. They’re going to get in playoff games down the stretch when they need a big basket or two, and nobody can manufacture them like Rose does.

Sure, the Bulls have more this season to counter the claims of the opposition.

Pau Gasol recorded his league leading 52nd double/double with 24 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

“It wasn’t great at times, but we were able to get a good one,” said Gasol. “Individually, I’m just happy I am playing at this level and accomplishing things I have done in the past, which is pretty remarkable. So I just want to continue and keep my level of play as long as I can. Now the critical time of year comes when you have to step it up and do better.”

Tony Snell, of all guys given how passive he’s been on offense of late, actually kept the Bulls in the game with a trio of three point shots in four possessions early in the fourth quarter after he had played 44 seconds in the first three quarters. The 76ers still were within 85-84 when Snell made his first of three.

“Tony was terrific,” agreed Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. “He played very well defensively and then hitting those shots was a huge plus for us.”

Nikola Mirotic, who was scoreless through three quarters in just seven minutes, had back to back scores midway through the fourth quarter with the 76ers within 98-95, one a three pointer. The Bulls also got 15 points from Jimmy Butler, back after missing one game with a calf injury, and 13 points from Gibson, who continues to show offensive aggression. But Joakim Noah continues to retreat offensively, rarely even looking to shoot anymore, which is compounded at times when he plays with Snell, who has been a reluctant shooter before Wednesday. When you have good shots you have to take them. Or the defense clogs the middle. That’s been happening to the Bulls, who routinely have poor spacing as a result.

It could prove an issue as it’s looking more likely the Bulls will open the playoffs as they did last season with home court against Washington. The Bulls at 48-32 are tied with Toronto, which has the tiebreaker by virtue of being a division winner. Toronto plays Boston and Charlotte; the Bulls play in Brooklyn Monday and home against Atlanta Wednesday to close the regular season, one in which 50 wins would be very impressive with Saturday just the 21st game (16-5) the starters have been together. Kirk Hinrich did have to go out early with a recurrence of his knee issue, though that did open up fourth quarter playing time for Snell.

The Bulls, meanwhile, need one win or Washington loss for home court in that series. The Wizards with three games left have started to sit down players for rests and would seem unlikely to win all three. If the Bulls do face Washington, that puts them in the bracket with conference leader Atlanta.

Though there should be no looking ahead for this Bulls team, which continues to confound, at times, with results that seem at odds with their talent. Obviously, there have been the disruptions with injuries. But Gasol is having a near career year; Butler is. Mirotic is a Rookie of the Year candidate and Snell has had moments of excellence. There’s more there, but the succession of lineup changes and rotating rotations has left a team less on a string at times than grasping for the rope to pull themselves back up.

“The importance (for us is) getting back in transition and communicating,” said Gasol, who more than any knows what championship form looks like. “We haven’t done that very well. Not just tonight, but in general. We have to get back when teams go small and switch; you’re not always going to be guarding your man. We competed. At the end, we were able to pull through and get a nice win.”

But it was uncertain for so long when it should not have been.

Who knows what goes on with the 76ers, who remain on their path to defeat to rebuild some day. There is some uncertainty every time you play them since they constantly bring in new players, this time starting the likes of Furkan Aldemir and JaKarr Sampson. All their point guards were hurt or traded, though the Bulls didn’t pressure, for which the 76ers seemed grateful.

But as we know with this Bulls team there are no easy wins as they’ve had 16 losses to teams below .500 and to Boston, Indiana, Brooklyn, Orlando, Miami and Charlotte at home. So after a fast start, the Bulls led 28-26 after one quarter and trailed 53-52 at half after a 21-5 Philadelphia run into the second quarter. Thibodeau rushed back Rose and Butler to stop that run in the second quarter after the 76ers went ahead 39-30 with Rose immediately going to the basket and making excellent scoring passes to Gibson.

“I thought he played terrific,” Thibodeau said of Rose. “In each quarter I thought he was really good.
“He made a few great hustle plays with the game on the line. Defensively he came up with some loose balls, great effort plays. You can tell he is feeling good out there. He’s got a good blend going, drives to the basket, the mid range game; I thought the threes that he took were the right ones. I like the rhythm he had in the game.”

The Bulls with Rose and the starters to open the second half took a 70-63 lead and the Bulls seemed in control. Rose found Mike Dunleavy on a long cross court pass for a three and Gasol up court with a 90-foot connection.

“I always try to push myself during the game doing little things, like sprinting to steal a ball, attacking the hole or playing aggressive throughout the game,” said Rose. “The continuity is not there yet, but I’m getting used to how everybody plays and getting used to the game, getting used to basketball again, just happy. I was just trying to feel my way through the game. Just got to get my feet under me a little more for my jump shots; shots I missed I felt were good shots. Comes with playing basketball. The way I passed tonight was crucial.”

But when Rose went out the 76ers rallied again to get within 81-78 after three quarters. In his first two games back last week, Rose played 20 minutes and not in the fourth quarter. But that restriction was lifted. And the Bulls needed Rose. Snell made those big threes and then Rose and Butler returned with 6:43 left and the Bulls leading 98-95.

After those five straight Mirotic points, Rose lined up the defense with the Bulls hanging on 103-101 with 4:44 left, split two defenders and scored and was fouled, though he missed the free throw: 105-101 Bulls.

The 76ers came back with a Sampson score to get within two. Butler drove and missed, but got his own rebound and threw back to Rose, who lined up the defense and streaked in down the left side for a layup: 107-103 Bulls with 3:52 left.

The 76ers, firing away on threes, missed a pair, and sometimes the Bulls do this: Sort of taking turns. Instead of Rose going again, the Bulls let Butler isolate as he hadn’t scored in a while and he shot an air ball. Rose missed a three, but then he hustled back and helped Gasol cause a turnover. Rose then drove and missed, but back he sprinted to strip Sampson from behind for a steal. Gibson was fouled and made one of two. The 76ers matched that to get within 108-105 with 1:16 left when Rose drove into the lane on the left side, spun back right and put in a scoop for a 110-105 lead with a minute left. He’d soon wrap it up with that laser to Gibson.

“Derrick is a superstar and that’s what superstars do,” said 76ers veteran Jason Richardson. “He’s trying to get his rhythm back for the playoffs. He just went to work. He’s a tough cover and he still has his quickness. He made some big shots and made a big pass. He’s a superstar and he takes over games and that’s what he did tonight.”