Bulls 90, Hornets 67: Bad opponent leads to another fine result

• Reprints

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 08: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball over Jarrett Jack #2 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on February 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) R:\Merlin\Getty_Photos\138543035.jpg

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:44AM

NEW ORLEANS — The Bulls are perfecting the underrated art of burying the NBA’s worst teams.

With Derrick Rose starting but hardly necessary, the Bulls barely broke a sweat in cruising to a 90-67 victory over the short-handed, overwhelmed and 4-22 New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night at New Orleans Arena.

Rose, still recovering from lower back spasms, scored six points on 3-for-5 shooting with six assists in 22 minutes, but it hardly mattered. C.J. Watson shot 1-for-6 from the field in place of Rose and that didn’t matter, either.

With Carlos Boozer (18 points, six rebounds, three assists) and Joakim Noah (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Luol Deng (nine points, seven rebounds) leading the way, the Bulls took leads of 21-8,
44-31 at halftime and 70-46 after three quarters.

Taj Gibson added 14 points and six rebounds and Kyle Korver had 12 points as the Bulls pulled away in the second half.

It was the Bulls’ third consecutive blowout victory after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers last week. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-90 and the 8-19 New Jersey Nets 108-87 in similarly dominant performances. They’ve trailed for just 23 seconds of their last three games, with halftime leads of 67-43, 62-37 and 44-31.

Up next, the 3-22 Bobcats on Friday in Charlotte.

‘‘I was pleased with the overall performance,’’ coach Tom Thibodeau said. ‘‘Readiness to play. First quarter, well balanced. Solid defense. And then offensively the way the ball’s moving. It’s not sticking anywhere. We’re getting good shots. We’re just pleased with the win.’’

Rose, a game-time decision because of the lingering effects of back spasms, scored two points with three assists in the first quarter before being replaced by Watson with the Bulls leading 21-8. He played sparingly after that as the Bulls were never in trouble.

‘‘He says he feels pretty good,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘He just has to do his rehab. Take care of himself. Get his rest. Get his massage. And we’ll go from there.’’

The Bulls weren’t quite as sharp as they were at the start of the Nets game, when they hit 12 of their first 13 shots. The Hornets missed their first five shots as four of the Bulls’ five starters scored to open a 9-0 lead.

Ronnie Brewer shot an airball in the opening minute but Noah grabbed the rebound and scored inside. Deng fed Boozer for a basket. Rose set up Deng for a 3-pointer. And Rose hit a floater before Emeka Okafor finally scored for the Hornets.

Noah scored on a lefty layup. Rose fed Boozer for a basket. And Boozer fed Brewer for a dunk and the Bulls were on their way. They had eight assists on their 11 first-quarter baskets and 29 assists for the game.

‘‘The challenge is to be ready to play. And we did that,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘There are a lot of things we could do better. That’s what we have to strive for. We have to make improvement. Get better each day. Build sold habits. And just keep our eye on what’s in front of us.”

Hornets coach Monty Williams, put in a bad spot when the NBA-owned Hornets traded star Chris Paul and then lost All-Star Eric Gordon go down with an injury, knew what he was in for.

‘‘They’ve got the reigning MVP and the reigning coach of the year. Enough said,’’ Williams said before the game. ‘‘Even if [Rose] doesn’t play, they still defend and they still get after it.”