ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Derrick Rose, Shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha, Small forward Luol Deng, Power forward Tyrus Thomas, Center Drew Gooden. Bench -- Guard Kirk Hinrich, Guard Ben Gordon, Guard Larry Hughes, Guard Demetris Nichols, Forward Andres Nocioni, Forward Michael Ruffin, Forward Cedric Simmons, Center Joakim Noah, Center Aaron Gray.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Derrick Rose was victorious in his official NBA debut against Milwaukee on Tuesday. He threw away a pass on the first possession of the game, then found teammate Drew Gooden for a jumper on the next trip down the floor. Rose finished with 11 points, nine assists and three steals.
--G Thabo Sefolosha joined the starting lineup for the season opener, but didn't stay on the floor long. He picked up two early fouls in the first quarter, then was pulled in the second half after allowing Milwaukee's Michael Redd to hit three straight three-point baskets. The 6-foot-7 native of Switzerland played just under 12 minutes.
--G Ben Gordon missed seven of eight preseason games with a toe injury, then got off to a slow start in the season opener, missing his first four field goal attempts. He knocked down 6-of-8 shots in the second half, however, and finished with 18 points.
--F Tyrus Thomas played a team-high 41 minutes in the season-opener against Milwaukee, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. After the game, coach Vinny Del Negro suggested Thomas earned his trust by putting in so much work during the summer.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Larry Hughes (dislocated right shoulder) stopped wearing a sling a couple days after suffering the injury in a preseason game at Minnesota on Oct. 22 and is hoping to be ready for game action within two weeks.
--F Michael Ruffin (sprained left ankle) has been sidelined since the second day of training camp. After being released and re-signed, he was inactive for the regular season opener against Milwaukee.
