The Chicago Bulls played the New Jersey Nets on Monday without two key front court players (Luol Deng and Taj Gibson) and third-string point guard John Lucas III, but you'd never know it judging by their performance in a 110-95 victory at the United Center. The victory was never in doubt for Chicago, as star Derrick Rose returned from a toe injury to lead the team with 22 points.
Rose finished 9-of-16 from the floor, and added eight assists and five rebounds. Guard Richard Hamilton, who scored his 15,000th career point in the first quarter, played what may have been the best game of his brief Bulls tenure. Hamilton scored 22 points and added 10 assists on 10-of-16 shooting. Joakim Noah had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Six Bulls scorers reached double-figures.
Jordan Farmer came off the bench to lead the Nets, who scored 22.
The Bulls shot over 57 percent from the floor, and finished with large edges in rebounds (43-32) and assists (33-23).
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