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Central heavyweights clash as Bulls host Pacers

Jan 25, 2012 - 3:39 PM (Sports Network) - While one key component to the Chicago Bulls returned to action, another is still on the mend. Derrick Rose looks to lead his team to victory when the Luol Deng-less Bulls continue a four-game homestand tonight versus the Indiana Pacers at the United Center.

Rose returned to the floor in Monday's 110-95 win over the New Jersey Nets after missing the previous four games (3-1) with a toe injury. Rose scored 22 points and handed out eight assists for Chicago, which has won four in a row and nine of its last 10 games. Chicago is an NBA-best 16-3 this season.

"To miss as much time as he did and to come out and play the way that he did says a lot about him", said coach Tom Thibodeau about Rose's return.

Joakim Noah also returned from injury after missing the previous game with a left ankle sprain and finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Deng missed the game because of a torn ligament in his left wrist and is hoping surgery will not be required. He suffered the injury in Saturday's win over Charlotte and is averaging 15.9 points and 7.5 rebounds this season. Thibodeau said his forward will be monitored on a week-to-week basis.

Richard Hamilton had 22 points and 10 assists on a historic night for the former Detroit Pistons star, as he eclipsed the 15,000-point mark in his career. Hamilton is the 120th player in NBA history with 15,000 career points. The Bulls will close out the homestand Friday versus Milwaukee and are 8-0 as the host this season -- the best start since the 1995-96 squad won its first 37 games at home en route to the NBA's all-time best record in a season at 72-10. Chicago won its fourth of six NBA titles that year.

Dating back to last season, the Bulls are 44-5 at the United Center. Bulls forward Taj Gibson missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle and is aiming to return at the end of the week.

The Pacers will begin a three-game road trip tonight against the Central Division-rival Bulls, Celtics and Magic, and suffered a 102-83 home loss to Orlando last night in Indy.

It was Indiana's first loss at home this season (5-1). Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert had 16 points apiece for the Pacers, who had won two straight and seven of nine games. The Pacers were off to their best start as the host since they won their first seven home games of 2002-03.

"We didn't defend well and we lost grip of the game. After that it was just difficult to try to get back into [it]," said Hibbert, who suffered a broken nose in Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers and played with a protective mask on his face.

Indiana was disposed of in five games against the Bulls during last year's Eastern Conference semifinals. The Bulls took three of four meetings in the regular season in 2010-11 and have won six straight as the host in this series. Indiana is 3-15 in its last 18 visits to the Windy City.