Bulls crush Suns without Rose

Carlos Boozer scored 31 points and C.J. Watson 97 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday

The Bulls improved to 2-1 without Rose, who missed his second straight game -- and third in seven days -- because of a lingering toe injury.

Tom Thibodeau announced before the game that Rose would sit again, one night after his injury flared up in a shootaround before Monday's loss to Memphis.

Watson also had five assists and four rebounds in place of the NBA's reigning MVP, while Luol Deng scored 15 points and Joakim Noah had 13 with 12 rebounds.

The Bulls bounced back from their loss to the Grizzlies to win for the sixth time in seven games, improving their Eastern Conference-best record to 13-3.

Steve Nash had 25 points and nine assists, but the Suns trailed by as many as 28 points in their fifth straight loss. Robin Lopez scored 16 off the bench and Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 15 rebounds.

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