Healthy Rose, Bulls pull away from Celtics
Tom Thibodeau hasn't had a full lineup at his disposal often this season. He came close on Friday, though, and the Chicago Bulls looked pretty good.
Derrick Rose suited up for his third consecutive game - the first time he'd done so in over a year - Joakim Noah returned after a one-game hiatus and the Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics in a Friday matinee, 109-102.
Rose, who left Tuesday's game against the Denver Nuggets early due to tightness in his troublesome left hamstring, posted 21 points, four assists and four rebounds on 9-of-18 shooting in 28 minutes.
Noah, who missed Tuesday's loss because of a sore left knee and an eye abrasion, stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and six blocks. Pau Gasol poured in 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler added 22 points.
Taj Gibson was the only Bull missing from the team's regular rotation, as the power forward remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
The 102 points allowed may seem concerning for Thibodeau at first glance, but that's more a product of the Celtics' fast-paced play than anything else. The Bulls held them to 40 percent shooting, including 27 percent on threes.
The Bulls improved to 10-6 with the victory and 4-0 when they start Rose, Butler, Gasol, Noah and Mike Dunleavy, their expected starting lineup heading into the season. They also finished their six-game road trip with a 3-3 record.
Jared Sullinger led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort for Boston, which fell to 4-9.
Friday marked the first time in 11 games that a Bulls-Celtics matchup featured both Rose and Rajon Rondo.