+5
The Chicago Bulls got Derrick Rose back and took care of Atlanta on Monday.
The Chicago Bulls sputtered a bit in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks, though they still have a nine-point lead as the game heads into the fourth quarter. Atlanta responded to a poor first-half effort by outscoring Chicago 27-18 in the third period.
Related: Bulls vs. Hawks: 2011-12 Open Game Thread #34
Derrick Rose returned to the lineup for the Bulls and leads the team with 19 points and five assists. Carlos Boozer and Ronnie Brewere are also in double figures with 14 points and 13 points, respectively, while Joakim Noah has a team-high 14 rebounds.
Jannero Pargo leads the Hawks in scoring with 16 points. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson each have scored 12 points.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Peachtree Hoops. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
The Chicago Bulls, playing with PG Derrick Rose for the first time since back spasms sidelined him six games ago, have taken a commanding 55-37 lead at the half against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Bulls jumped ahead early, dominating the Hawks to the tune of a 31-17 lead in the first quarter, but Chicago struggled early in the second quarter as the Hawks held the Bulls at 40 points for over five minutes, building their own 9-point run to bring them back into the game.
Chicago certainly had their chances to break the game wide open, however, as they out-rebounded the Atlanta team 13 to 30 -- at one point collecting three straight offensive rebounds only to come away with no points. Despite taking 21-point leads twice in the game, Chicago had to settle for an 18-point advantage at the half with the Bulls leading 55-37.
Derrick Rose, who has played 16 minutes in the early going, has already collected 14 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds -- leading the team in points. C Joakim Noah also has hit double digits early, snatching 11 rebounds to go with his 4 points.
The Bulls head into the second half looking to pull away and likely give some security rest to Rose.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Peachtree Hoops. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
The Chicago Bulls, playing with Derrick Rose for the first time in six games, have taken an early, commanding lead through the first quarter of action.
Rose leads the team in the early going with 9 points through his 9 minutes of play. The All-Star point guard has also collected a pair of rebounds and an assist through the first quarter, helping the team to at 31-17 lead.
Atlanta started the game hot, taking an 11-6 lead in the first five minutes, but the Bulls charged back, staging an 11-point run followed by an 8-point run, to give them a 14-point lead going into the second quarter. Even though Rose started the game, the Bulls have also given some early minutes to PG Mike James, who has played well in Rose's absence.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Peachtree Hoops. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
The Chicago Bulls have a huge asset returning to action Monday afternoon as reigning MVP Derrick Rose is in the starting lineup against the Atlanta Hawks, according to CSN Chicago's Gail Fischer:
Rose is starting.
— Gail Fischer (@GAILFISCH) February 20, 2012
Rose had missed five straight games with five straight losses, going 3-2 without their dynamic point guard. The Bulls still boast one of the league's best records with a 25-8 mark, but now trail the Miami Heat (25-7) for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks enter the game looking to hand the Bulls their first losing streak of the season after Chicago lost a surprising 85-97 contest to the New Jersey Nets.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Peachtree Hoops. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
Prior to this past weekend, the Chicago Bulls were more or less cruising along just fine without reigning MVP Derrick Rose, who had sat out the four previous games with back spasms. But the walls caved in on Saturday when the Bulls lost to the New Jersey Nets by the score of 97-85, and it wasn't nearly that close for most of the contest. As the Miami Heat continue to steamroll their competition, Rose's potential return will loom larger and larger over every game.
Rose is being called a game-time decision for today's match up vs. the Atlanta Hawks, but Rose has been teetering on the edge of playing for at least a week now. According to head coach Tom Thibodeau, Rose's practice regiment was increased some over the weekend, but the team has reiterated that Rose will play whenever he is fully healthy.
Another cause for concern is that the Hawks whipped a fully healthy Bulls squad in the teams' last match up in early January, and may be the best team that Chicago has faced since Rose has been out. Thibodeau and the Bulls front office will continue to play the long game with Rose's health, but another performance like the one vs. the Nets may force their hand, if it hasn't been forced already.
Game date/time: Monday, February 20, 2011, 3:00 p.m. CST
Location: United Center, Chicago, Ill.
TV: ESPN
Odds: No line
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Peachtree Hoops. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
Bulls Vs. Hawks Final Score: Chicago Wins, 90-79
The Atlanta Hawks mounted a second-half charge after some dreadful play in the first two quarters, but they didn't have enough to overcome Chicago's 18-point halftime lead, and the Bulls prevailed, 90-79.
Related: Bulls vs. Hawks: 2011-12 Open Game Thread #34
Derrick Rose scored a game-high 23 points on 8-18 shooting in his return to the Chicago Bulls lineup, and the team rebounded nicely from a surprising loss to the New Jersey Nets on Saturday. Carlos Boozer added 16 points and five rebounds. Overall, the Bulls shot 38.6% from the field, but they hit 8-20 three-point attempts.
The Hawks were led by guard Jannero Pargo, who scored 19 points. Josh Smith scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Peachtree Hoops. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
Feb 20 5:40p by Steven Muma