NBA-best Bulls surge into top spot

When you think of the Chicago Bulls, the first things that come to mind are Derrick Rose and defense. The Bulls will throttle your offense and then turn it over

When you think of the Chicago Bulls, the first things that come to mind are Derrick Rose and defense. The Bulls will throttle your offense and then turn it over to the MVP to win the game, often in the fourth quarter.

Except Chicago is actually a more complete team than that. Even with all of Rose's isolation drives to the basket, the Bulls are tied for the league lead in assists. They're also in the top four in shooting percentage, three-point accuracy, offensive rebounding and points per possession.

And after they score, they unleash that suffocating defense, which is second in efficiency and on Monday held Indiana to 29 second-half points in the Bulls' 92-72 victory.

It is a formula that has produced an NBA-best 32-8 record, a seven-game winning streak and a rise to the top of this week's Power Rankings.

(All stats and records are through Monday, March 5 unless otherwise noted.)

NBA Power Rankings