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Rose's status uncertain as Bulls host Heat

Mar 26, 2009 - 4:18 AM By Matt Beardmore Stats Writer

Miami (38-33) at Chicago (34-38) 8:00 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- With its star rookie sidelined for the first time in 2008-09, Chicago showed it can still win a crucial late-season game.

The Bulls might need a repeat effort Thursday night if rookie sensation Derrick Rose is unable to play as they host the Miami Heat, who are trying to maintain the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Bulls (34-38), looking for their first playoff berth since 2007 when they swept Miami in the opening round, have won two in a row and five of six to grab a 2 1/2-game lead over Charlotte for the East's eighth and final playoff spot. Chicago trails the slumping Detroit Pistons by just one game for seventh place.

Rose has been a major catalyst during this recent stretch, averaging 20.7 points, 5.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds in his last three games. The rookie point guard, though, missed his first game Tuesday - a 99-91 win over Detroit - after injurying his right wrist as he attempted a dunk in Monday's 101-99 victory at Washington.

The Bulls official Web site lists Rose, who underwent treatment on his wrist Wednesday, as a game-time decision.

Kirk Hinrich, the starting point guard before Rose was selected first overall in the 2008 NBA draft, will likely get his third start this season if Rose can't go.

Hinrich scored 24 points and matched a season high with eight assists Tuesday as Chicago won its eighth in nine games at the United Center.

"By no means is Kirk a backup point guard," said Chicago forward John Salmons, scoring 24.5 points per game during the Bulls' 5-1 stretch. "But we've got the best backup point guard in the league."

Chicago had won three in a row at home against Miami prior to a 95-93 loss on Feb. 12.

The Bulls, though, have been unable to slow down arguably the best player in the league this season. Dwyane Wade, the NBA's leading scorer at 29.8 points per game, is averaging 33.3 points, 7.0 assists and 3.7 boards as Miami has won all three meetings versus his hometown team this season.

The last time the Heat (38-33) swept a regular-season series against Chicago was 2003-04, when they went 4-0 against the Bulls in Wade's rookie season.

This season's series, though, has not been one-sided, with Miami winning the last two matchups by a combined five points.

After scoring 24 points in the Feb. 12 win, Wade had 48 with 12 assists in a 130-127 double-overtime victory over the Bulls on March 9, capping his stellar game with a steal and 3-pointer as time expired.

Wade, however, is coming off a 5-of-24 shooting effort - including a missed 3-pointer as time expired - in a 90-88 loss at Indiana on Wednesday. Miami has dropped five of its last six on the road and holds a one-half game edge over the surging Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 5 seed in the East.

"It's just one of those nights, man," Wade said following his worst shooting performance since missing 16-of-20 field-goal attempts in a 95-88 loss to New Jersey on Dec. 23, 2005. "I just missed a lot of shots I normally hit."

Miami, which remained 3 1/2 games back of Atlanta for the fourth seed with the Hawks' 102-92 loss to San Antonio on Wednesday, shot just 37.3 percent against the Pacers.

Chicago guard Ben Gordon has scored 20 or more points in just two of his last eight games but has averaged 36.0 points in his last three home games against the Heat, including 34 in the Feb. 12 loss.