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Thibodeau picks up a technical

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau received a technical foul late in the third quarter of Saturday night's victory over Cleveland for arguing a call.

Thibodeau was T'd up during a preseason game against Dallas, but this may have been his first regular-season penalty.

Forward Carlos Boozer came to his coach's defense.

“I'm going to tell you, though, that's a rough tech to have,” Boozer said. “They were having a dispute about the pick-and-roll because we had a double pin-down and Thibs was saying, ‘Check the rule book.'

“I don't know how you get a tech for saying check the rule book. I've heard a lot of coaches say a whole lot worse and not get a technical foul, so that's a tough situation.”

Thibodeau said an offensive foul was called on the play because two players locked arms while setting a screen.

Bulls match rare feat:

According to Elias Sports Bureau, it's very uncommon for an NBA team to win a game with just one player scoring in double figures. The Bulls did just that Thursday against Dallas with Derrick Rose leading the way with 26 points.

It has happened two other times in the last 10 years: Cleveland won in 2007 behind 37 points from LeBron James, and the Lakers did it on a night in 2005 when Kobe Bryant scored 62 points.

There has been one other instance in Bulls history of winning a game with a single player in double figures. Naturally, it was Michael Jordan with 45 points at Seattle on Feb. 2, 1997.

Balance was a big key to the Bulls' win over Dallas. Kurt Thomas and Kyle Korver scored 9 points, Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson had 8 and Luol Deng added 7.

Painful situation:

Naperville native Anthony Parker returned Friday after missing seven games with a sore back. But after playing 14 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks, he decided he wasn't healthy and didn't make the trip to Chicago.

Cleveland also played without guard Mo Williams (hip) and forward Leon Powe (knee). Center Anderson Varejao (foot) is out for the season.

Bull horns:

The Bulls are 9-0 against Central Division opponents. … The Cavaliers had surrendered at least 100 points in 12 straight games before holding the Bulls to 92. … Luol Deng on the idea of sitting outside at the Bears-Packers game: “I've been here for seven years. I still can't deal with the cold weather. I don't think I'll get used to it.” He plans to watch on television.