ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Derrick Rose, Shooting guard Ben Gordon, Small forward Thabo Sefolosha, Power forward Tyrus Thomas, Center Joakim Noah. Bench -- Guard Larry Hughes, Guard Kirk Hinrich, Guard Lindsey Hunter, Forward Luol Deng, Forward Drew Gooden, Forward Andres Nocioni, Forward Michael Ruffin, Forward Cedric Simmons, Center Aaron Gray.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Derrick Rose was determined to bounce back from a poor shooting night at Miami and spent extra time on the floor warming up before Saturday's game against Atlanta. The result was a career-high 27 points, as he hit 12 of 19 shots. He also tacked on seven assists.
--G Ben Gordon knocked down six of eight shots from 3-point range in Saturday's loss to the Hawks and passed Scottie Pippen as the franchise's all-time leader in 3-point baskets. Gordon finished with 33 points, two short of his season high.
--C Joakim Noah failed to record a single statistic during 5 1/2 minutes of action in the first half against Atlanta. In the second half, coach Vinny Del Negro turned to seldom-used F Cedric Simmons instead of Noah.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Luol Deng (ankle) expects to be out at least a week after turning his ankle in the third quarter of the Dec. 27 loss to Miami. He jumped to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left foot.
--F Drew Gooden (ankle) is not expected to play on the current road trip.
--G Kirk Hinrich (torn ulnar collateral ligament in right thumb) had surgery Nov. 11 and is expected to be sidelined until mid-February.
--F Michael Ruffin (sprained left ankle) has been sidelined since the second day of training camp. After being released and re-signed, he has been inactive for every game in the regular season. He returned to practice on Dec. 10.
