Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – Derrick Rose played for the second time in
six games since spraining both of his ankles and scored 24 points to lead the
Chicago Bulls to a 102-91 win over the Dertroit Pistons on Monday night.
The Bulls held on down the stretch after leading by as many as 19 points in
the second quarter and 17 in the third, winning for the fifth time in their
six games since Rose was hurt against Cleveland on Oct. 31.
Rose, who sat out the previous two games, set up a key basket when he drew a
double team near the paint and threw a no-look pass back to Jimmy Butler for a
3-pointer that gave the Bulls a 95-88 lead with 1:56 remaining.
The former NBA MVP had seven assists in 32 minutes and Butler scored 19 as the
Bulls beat the Pistons for the 22nd time in their last 24 meetings. Pau Gasol
added 17 points and 15 rebounds and Joakim Noah scored 13 with 14 boards.
Josh Smith had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Pistons, who have dropped
their last two. Greg Monroe added 16 points and 10 rebounds and D.J. Augustin
added 16 points off the bench.
