Bulls' Noah getting closer to 100 percent

The Bulls certainly would like to see more box scores like Monday's against Detroit, when Pau Gasol produced 17 points and 15 rebounds and Joakim Noah had 13 points, 14 boards and 6 assists.

The Bulls ended a six-game streak of getting outrebounded by their opponent in their 102-91 victory at the United Center,

Noah, who had his left knee scoped in the summer, was given Tuesday's practice off as a precaution, but coach Tom Thibodeau pointed to positive signs in the recovery.

"He moved great last night, so that's a big positive for us," Thibodeau said Tuesday at the Advocate Center. "The game before he got sick (Nov. 1 at Minnesota), I thought he started coming around in that game. When he got sick, that set him back a little bit. But he was great yesterday. It's a big plus for our team."

Noah missed two games with the illness, but in his last four games he has averaged 11.3 rebounds.

Noah was asked about his recovery after Monday's game. "I still have a ways to go, but I'm going to get there," he said.

Rookies have limits:

Rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic played just five minutes each against Detroit on Monday and stayed on the bench throughout the second half.

Asked if that's a sign of what's in store for the sharpshooting duo, coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn't commit.

"We'll see. A lot of it is matchups," he said. "(The Pistons) played big. You've got to look at the game, too, and what's happening in the game. There's a lot that goes into it."

So far this season Mirotic has averaged a foul every six minutes, an issue that could limit the former Real Madrid star's playing time.

"He'll learn," Thibodeau said. "Niko's a very smart guy and the first time through, he'll learn. Some of them I don't think are fouls, but some are. So he's going to have to adjust a little bit with body position.

"But he's got great length and timing and he's a good shot blocker. He's got great anticipation. He'll figure it out. He's going to be a very good player."

Quest for perfection:

Derrick Rose on the state of his defense so far this season: "I feel like I'm close. I don't think anybody's going to be perfect the way Thibs wants me to be. But I feel like I'm close and trying my hardest."