Derrick Rose returns for Bulls in loss to Wizards

The Chicago Bulls had point guard Derrick Rose back from a two-game absence Wednesday night when they lost to the Washington Wizards.

Rose had been nursing a groin injury, and head coach Fred Hoiberg said his playing time would be carefully monitored as he was reintegrated. In the end, he played 29 minutes, scoring 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting in the loss.

The Bulls split the two games he missed, getting blown out by the Miami Heat at home before edging the Toronto Raptors on the road. For the season, they're 7-5 without him.

Rose's return, coupled with the return of Mike Dunleavy from a stomach virus, relegated E'Twaun Moore back to the bench. Moore has proven a more than capable understudy, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 47.5 percent from 3-point range as a starter.

Rose, after a bumpy start to the season (which may have owed something to a broken orbital bone that blurred his vision), has come on strong of late. Since the start of February, he's averaged 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, with a .459/.375/.821 shooting split and a considerable uptick in free-throw rate.

His defense, though, has remained something of a concern, and for the season the Bulls have conceded nearly five more points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.