words // Brandon Richard

We’ve all expected Chicago to slow down at some point this season, but the reality is that they have no plans of doing so. Led by MVP candidate and possible front-runner Derrick Rose, the Bulls are currently the number one seed in the East and in position to hold homecourt advantage through the Eastern Conference Finals. Now with great expectations, the Bulls were one of the teams scheduled to compete on St. Patrick’s Day, and couldn’t afford a letdown against the lowly New Jersey Nets.

Decked out in their green uniforms, the Bulls continued to roll in New Jersey. In a matchup of the game’s top point guards, Derrick Rose’s stifling defense made Deron Williams look average, to put it nicely. Luol Deng and Kyle Korver made solid contributions from the field, but it was the 11-point and career high 16-rebound game from Omer Asik that really gave the Bulls a lift. They blew by the Nets 84-73.

In other action, the Knicks got back on track against the Memphis Grizzlies, knocking down 20 three-pointers en route to a 120-99 slaughter. Carmelo Anthony poured in 28 points, but it was the hot hand of guard Toney Douglas that was the story of the night. Douglas converted on nine of his 12 three-point attempt, scoring 29 points on the night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their embarrassing season, this time being blown out 111-70 in Portland. To put how poorly they played into perspective, they had six assists as a team on the night, while Portland finished with 29. LaMarcus Aldridge was the high man for the Blazers, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Check out some of the special makeups that hit the court for St. Patrick’s Day 2011.

Brook Lopez goes hook shot in the adidas adiPure; Kurt Thomas defends in the Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2010.

Deron Williams shoots over Derrick Rose in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low.

Derrick Rose rolls in for a layup in the St. Patrick’s Day adidas adiZero Rose 1.5.

Joakim Noah shoots a hook in the St. Patrick’s Day Le Coq Sportif Joakim Noah Pro Model 2.0.

Johan Petro shoots in the Air Jordan Retro 13.

Jordan Farmar pulls up in the adidas Commander LT.

Luol Deng dunks in the Nike Air Max Fly By.

Amar’e Stoudemire and Jared Jeffries defend Marc Gasol in the Nike Zoom Huarche Trainer and “Playoff” Air Jordan Retro 13 respectively.

Carmelo Anthony wears a special St. Patrick’s Day colorway of his Jordan Melo M7.

Greivis Vaquez handles in his Under Armour Prototype I Player Exclusive.

Ronny Turiaf, still a fan of his old teammate’s kicks, rocks the “Rice” Nike Zoom Kobe VI; Chauncey Billups refuses to let go of the adidas TS Lightning Creator.

Tony Allen prepares to dunk in the adidas adiZero Rose.

Toney Douglas and Mike Conley battle in different colorways of the adidas adiPure.

Andre Miller drives in the rarely seen adidas adiZero Infiltrate; Daniel Gibson looks on in the Nike Zoom Soldier IV.

Brandon Roy shoots in his Nike Air Max Fly By Player Exclusive.

Gerald Wallace drives in the Air Jordan Retro 13; Luke Harangody defends in Converse Sicks.

LaMarcus Aldridge goes up strong in the Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2010.

Ramon Sessions throws a no-look in the Reebok Zig Slash.

images via ESPN