Melo (back) doesn’t expect being out ‘too long’

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Derrick Rose confident he can start playing more regularly

The Chicago Bulls have been beset by injuries lately, not only to Derrick Rose but also to Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah. Rose exited Tuesday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets at halftime, and the official explanation was hamstring tightness, but coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game that he just decided to take Rose out as a precaution and because of the pace of the game.

Fortunately, things seem to be looking up for the Bulls health-wise as they prepare to cap off a seven-game road trip with games this weekend in Boston and Brooklyn:

Thibs said Rose and Noah went through all of practice. Still unsure if they will play Friday but was happy with the way they practiced.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Rose still very confident he’ll be able to string some games together. “You’ll see,” he said. Says he’s feeling better.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Taj Gibson is expected to rejoin the Bulls later today. Still unclear when he will be able to play again because of his left ankle injury.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Noah hopes he’ll be able to play tomorrow. Says both his knee and his eye are feeling better.

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Rose on playing tomorrow: “If I’m ready to go, I’m ready. If not, just really pay attention to my body …”

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Rose (cont.) “But the plan is that I want to play. So hopefully I’ll be out there playing.”

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Rose, on if he’s still confident he can string some games together: “You will see. I know I’m going to be all right.”

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Rose: “It’s just that I’m getting a bad hand right now. I’m going through tough times, but I know it could always be worse.”

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

Rose: “And I know that I always got faith in myself and faith that somebody’s looking over me.”

— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 27, 2014

After the long road trip, the Bulls have a home-heavy schedule in December that should make it easier for Rose to put a string of games together. He has to hope that his body won’t break down on him again, but all the making are there of a better stretch for him than he has had so far this season.