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Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah cleared for 4th quarter minutes vs. 76ers

By Luke Dahlgren

Oct 29, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (left) sits in the bench next to center Joakim Noah (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (left) sits in the bench next to center Joakim Noah (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The game against the Philadelphia 76ers will be Derrick Rose‘s third game back for the Chicago Bulls since returning from a knee injury earlier this season.

Derrick Rose continued his return to full minutes just in time for the playoffs to roll around.

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Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed that the often injured Bulls point would be receiving fourth quarter minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night at the United Center, pushing his minutes to nearly its level from before a torn meniscus sidelined him this year

From CBS 2 Chicago:

"Rose is expected to play in the fourth quarter against the 76ers. Thibodeau didn’t give a specific number of minutes for Rose to play, but if his fourth stint is around the seven-minute range like the others have been, that would put him around 26 to 28 minutes. He was averaging 31.0 before the most recent injury."

Bulls center Joakim Noah is also expected to play more significant minutes after returning from his own knee issues

For the Bulls’ playoff hopes in the first round, the return of Noah might actually be more important.

The Bulls will be getting home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and having a healthy core will allow them to easily handle any team that comes their way in the East. As of right now, that team appears likely to be the surging Milwaukee Bucks and their Slenderman star-in-the-making Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have just come off of a convincing, albeit not flashy, victory over the lowly New York Knicks.

The Bucks have the capability of taking a few games from the Bulls by locking up the perimeter, but in a seven game series, having Noah and seven foot power forward Pau Gasol to win the rebounding battle will be key to controlling possessions and limiting the Bucks’ offensive opportunities.

Rose provides a nucleus for the Bulls offense, but the team has proven that they can produce when the offense is centered around their two All-Stars this year, Gasol or shooting guard Jimmy Butler. Having Rose helps, but the presence of Noah means more against the Bucks.

The Bulls have done a good job of easing Rose back into his starting role without undercutting his developing confidence in his knee, and they would need a dangerous weapon in the second round to throw their opponent off balance.

As Rose fully returns from injury and plays key fourth quarter minutes, fans will see if he can be that very weapon.

Our very own Mark Carman has different thoughts on how to use Rose:

[H/T: CBS 2 Chicago]

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