According to Chicago Breaking Sports, Derrick Rose is "likely" to play in tonight's game at the United Center against the Orlando Magic, despite not eating much for the last several days while fighting some very painful stomach ulcers:
"I'll have to see when I get down (to United Center," Rose said. "I haven't really been able to eat anything. It still hurts. But it's a game that I love. So I should be able to play.
"I've been eating portions of things. But I haven't had a whole meal in like three or four days. The ulcers have to heal a little bit more. It's still sore. It's something I have to fight through."
Rose did participate in Friday morning's shootaround, and he said he's lost a few pounds from his usual playing weight. Coach Tom Thibodeau said it will likely be a game-time decision.
Rose and the Bulls will be facing his All-Star starting teammate Dwight Howard; Howard and the Magic blew out the Bulls by 29 points on Dec. 1, the day Carlos Boozer made his Bulls debut. Howard had only 13 points that night, but the Bulls appeared to take the night off. Now, they have had three days' rest, which they really needed after not having more than one day in between games any time this month. Howard, for his part, is averaging a double-double this season -- 22 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.
The game begins at 7 p.m. CST and will be televised on CSN Chicago.