Hinrich, Gooden nursing injuries
Both members of the Bulls' Kansas connection are questionable for tonight's rematch against Cleveland at the United Center. The Bulls lost to the Cavs on the road Wednesday.
Kirk Hinrich left Friday's game in the third quarter with a sprained right thumb and is expected to have an MRI exam this morning. Hinrich, who notched 5 steals against the Suns, was not available for comment following the game.
Drew Gooden turned his right ankle in the second quarter when he tripped over a fallen Ben Gordon. Gooden returned after halftime and played nine minutes in the third quarter, but said he didn't feel right.
"I wasn't explosive, couldn't really do anything besides set picks and try to rotate defensively," Gooden said. "I'll have to see how it feels tomorrow. My goal is to play all 82 (games)."
Thabo out as starter: Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro swore the change in Friday's starting lineup was only about the best matchups against Phoenix, not what happened earlier this season.
But clearly, the odd man out in the new rotation was Thabo Sefolosha, who started the first five games at shooting guard, but averaged just 4.0 points while shooting 35 percent from the field. Sefolosha did not play until the final 4:57 of the contest against the Suns.
"It didn't have anything to do with Thabo," Del Negro said. "I think he's played well at times. He hasn't had consistent minutes. He's one of our better defensive players."
Kirk Hinrich was in the backcourt next to Derrick Rose at the start Friday, while Aaron Gray moved in at center, sending Drew Gooden to power forward and Tyrus Thomas to the bench. Everything worked out for the best as the Bulls rolled to an easy 100-83 victory over the Suns.
"It wasn't because we lost a couple games that I changed the starting lineup or anything anybody said," Del Negro said. "I felt it was time to do that. It could be time (against Cleveland tonight) to do that (again). We'll see how the matchups work and how we can be most effective."
Rose faces moving day: Before Friday's game, there was a sign taped to Derrick Rose's former locker reading, "I'm back!"
No, it wasn't another Michael Jordan comeback. The sign was apparently placed by Andres Nocioni, who moved back into his old spot next to good friend Luol Deng. Rose switched places with Nocioni, taking the former Ben Wallace stall near the entrance to the locker room.
"We won, so I don't care," Rose said after the game.
Rose has been drawing a big crowd of reporters after games, infringing on Deng's space. But Deng swore he had nothing to do with the move.
"It was all Noc's idea," he said with a smile.