Derrick Rose Sits Out With Tendinitis, But Bulls Defeat Wizards 109-104

The Chicago Bulls earned their third straight victory by topping the Washington Wizards 109-104 at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday night, despite missing star point guard Derrick Rose, who sat out with right hamstring tendinitis.

Derrick Rose Sits Out With Tendinitis, But Bulls Defeat Wizards 109-104

Rose joined Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic as out. Despite all of these injuries, the Bulls ended the game strong, placing seven players in double figures.

The two teams played evenly, with the Bulls gaining a 57-55 halftime lead. Chicago then took control in the third behind three-pointers from Tony Snell, E’Twaun Moore and Mike Dunleavy to lead by up to 15 points.  

Taj Gibson and Moore scored a team-high 17 points apiece, with Gibson adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Doug McDermott added 14 points, all scored in the second half, including two monster dunks.

The Bulls improved to 6-2 without Rose, whose absence forced some funky lineup changes. Moore shifted to point guard and Snell replaced Rose. Even shooting guard Justin Holiday made his debut with the Bulls, and logged a 3-pointer on his first touch.

Regular starter Pau Gasol, who missed practice on Tuesday and was playing with the flu, narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 15 rebounds, 10 points and nine assists

Rose claimed his soreness started during Tuesday’s practice and worsened overnight. The Bulls started a stretch of three games in four nights and Rose, who said the injury is minor and that he himself decided not to play, rested for precautionary reasons.

“Just don’t want to take any risks,” Rose said. “Just reading my body and trying not to risk all of it by going out there and playing crazy.”

“I think that’s with anyone,” Rose said, when asked if he’s listening to his body. “When you look at my situation, what I’ve been through, it’s like the norm. My body has to get used to moving the way I want it.”

Bulls Coach Fred Hoiberg stated his approval of Rose’s approach.

The Bulls (30-26) will next visit the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, while the Wizards (26-30) will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night as well.

Caption:CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: Marcin Gortat #4 of the Washington Wizards and Pau Gasol #16 of the Chicago Bulls batle for a rebound at the United Center on March 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.