March 14--CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The offense clicked. The 3-point shooting sizzled.
The Bulls grabbed a 60-52 halftime lead Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena, placing four in double figures and shooting 11-for-14 from beyond the arc. Aaron Brooks' 15 points led the way, while Tony Snell sank all four of his 3-pointers.
Joakim Noah returned after missing Wednesday's overtime victory over the 76ers with soreness in the knee, which was surgically repaired last May. The absence marked Noah's first since a right ankle injury sidelined him Jan. 22 and the first he sat out due to the knee since last November.
"It's very important," Noah said about playing. "We see these standings every day. We see what's going on. And we're trying to get a high seed."
Noah developed minor soreness on Wednesday after participating in the morning shootaround in Philadelphia. He had just played four games in five days. Though nobody associated with the Bulls would acknowledge it, the 76ers' poor record could've contributed to the decision to rest him.
"He just had soreness and general fatigue," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Just take that day off and see where he was. He felt better, so we'll see."
Taj Gibson did some individual work on the Bulls' offday Thursday but joined Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler as out vs. the Hornets. Charlotte is without Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller.
