April 19--In his first playoff game since tearing his left ACL on April 28, 2012, Derrick Rose looked explosive in leading the Bulls to a 60-51 halftime lead over the Bucks Saturday night at the United Center.
Rose, who sat out the second half of the Bulls' regular-season finale with left knee soreness, scored 12 points in 12 minutes, several of the spectacular variety. He survived a first-quarter awkward fall and sat late with three fouls.
"He's fine," coach Tom Thibodeau said following the morning shootaround.
Jimmy Butler led the Bulls, who shot 55 percent, with 17 points. Aaron Brooks added 10 off the bench.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's 10 points led the Bucks.
The Bulls are without Kirk Hinrich, whose hyperextended left knee isn't improving after the guard said earlier in the week that he'd make the opener vs. the Bucks.
"It's sort of plateaued off," Thibodeau said. "He's been stuck for a few days now. Hopefully, they can find something to get him better."
Hinrich's absence meant an opportunity for Tony Snell in Thibodeau's nine-man rotation, which the coach said would feature minutes for Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson similar to what they played down the regular-season stretch. Noah and Gibson also missed part or all of the regular-season finale with injuries.
"No restrictions," Noah said. "I feel good."
The Bulls are favorites in the series, whose winner will advance to likely face the Cavaliers in the second round. Rose missed the entire 2013 and 2014 postseasons with knee injuries.
"All that he's been through, just to have him back, this was another tough season that he was able to persevere and get through it," Thibodeau said. "We felt fortunate at the end to get a handful of games before the playoffs began just to get acclimated again. It's good to have him back. Obviously, he makes us a much different team."
