ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Derrick Rose, Shooting guard Ben Gordon, Small forward Thabo Sefolosha, Power forward Tyrus Thomas, Center Aaron Gray. Bench -- Guard Larry Hughes, Guard Lindsey Hunter, Forward Drew Gooden, Forward Andres Nocioni, Forward Cedric Simmons, Center Joakim Noah.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Derrick Rose drove to the basket aggressively against Sacramento on Tuesday to finish with 16 points and eight assists. All but one of his seven baskets came from within five feet of the rim.
--G Ben Gordon did most of his damage at the foul line during Tuesday's win over the Kings. He led the Bulls with 24 points, thanks to hitting 11-of-11 free throws.
--F Andres Nocioni got a haircut over the weekend, then missed his first 10 shots against Sacramento before finally knocking down a corner three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. He ended up playing just 12 minutes.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Luol Deng (ankle) turned his ankle in the third quarter of the Dec. 26 loss to Miami when he jumped to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left foot. He may play Friday against Washington.
--G Kirk Hinrich (torn ulnar collateral ligament in right thumb) had surgery Nov. 11 after hurting the thumb while trying to swipe the ball out of Amare Stoudemire's grasp in a win over Phoenix on Nov. 7. Hinrich said the injury is healing ahead of schedule and is hoping to return to practice this week.
--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.
