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Rose could return when Bulls visit Boston

Nov 28, 2014 - 2:57 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Derrick Rose has been beset by injuries all season and the Chicago Bulls are hoping he can start stringing some games together soon.

Rose is dealing with a tight hamstring and said if he's ready to go Friday against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden he will play. Rose is paying attention to his body, which has failed him in recent seasons and this one.

The former NBA MVP left Tuesday's 114-109 loss at Denver with tightness in the muscle and Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau kept Rose out as a precaution because of the pace of the game.

"I wasn't moving the way I wanted to on the floor," Rose said. "I came in and talked to Thibs and we both agreed on me sitting out."

The Bulls trailed 31-21 after the first quarter and 56-49 at halftime.

Chicago, which shot 42.7 percent and made just 7-of-21 3-pointers, came alive in the fourth quarter to no avail. Jimmy Butler scored 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 22 points and 11 boards for the Bulls, who did not have center Joakim Noah because of eye and knee issues.

Noah and Rose were back at practice, and both players are probable. Noah is averaging 7.9 points and 9.2 rebounds. Forward Taj Gibson (ankle) has missed two straight games and could miss a third Friday, while guard Kirk Hinrich (chest bruise) is probable.

The Bulls are 2-3 on their circus road trip, which comes to an end Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.

Boston will resume a three-game homestand and has lost four in a row at TD Garden. In Sunday's 94-88 loss to Portland, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger did their best with 19 points apiece, but the Celtics couldn't avoid their fifth loss in the last six tries.

Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo scored 13 points for Boston, which posted just 16 points in the fourth quarter and is 2-5 as the host.

San Antonio will visit Beantown on Sunday and perhaps Celtics rookie guard Marcus Smart could see action. Smart has been out since Nov. 7 with an ankle injury and was back at practice this week. The energetic and defensive-minded Smart could be available as soon as Friday or against the Spurs.

"He's done his rehab diligently and he's done it well," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "He's stuck to the game plan as far as coming in here multiple times a day and going above and beyond. So he's doing what he's supposed to do, and this is the appropriate time frame (for his return)."

The Celtics defeated the Bulls, 106-101, on Nov. 8 this season and Evan Turner led seven players in double figures with 19 points. Rose did not play in that game, but both Gasol and Noah did, combining for 32 points and 20 boards.

Chicago lost nine of the past 13 games at Boston.