CHICAGO (NBA) - The Chicago Bulls took another step towards Eastern Conference supremacy by beating nearest challengers Boston on Thursday night, 97-81.

Derrick Rose, the Team USA guard and leading contender for league MVP honors this season in the NBA, had 30 points and eight assists for the Bulls (58-20).

Chicago moved four games clear of Boston and Miami (both 54-24).

Great Britain's Luol Deng, who will played at the London Olympics next summer, had 23 points for Chicago who have now won 17 of their last 19 games.

Portland, meanwhile, claimed a crucial 98-87 victory over Utah that pushed the Trail Blazers a half-game clear of New Orleans in the race for sixth place in the Western Conference.

Mid-season trade acquisition Gerald Wallace had 29 points and eight rebounds and France international Nicolas Batum poured in 21 for the Blazers.

Spain's Rudy Fernandez had a game to forget for Portland.

In 14 minutes, he missed all four of his shots from the field and also turned the ball over four times.

On Friday night, Dwyane Wade is hoping to return to the Miami Heat line-up when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.

Wade, a two-time Olympian with Team USA, missed Tuesday's 90-85 home defeat to Milwaukee with a bruised right thigh but worked out on Thursday.

The Heat are hoping to beat Boston to second place in the Eastern Conference.

Check out Thursday's top five plays with Rose showing off his offensive array.

FIBA