Mirotic makes surprise return
The Bulls figured Jimmy Butler (knee) and Taj Gibson (hamstring) would be back from injuries soon and both players announced plans to play Saturday at the morning shootaround.
Nikola Mirotic was thought to be a week or two from getting into game action, but he made a surprising return to the lineup against Houston. Mirotic checked in at the 4:18 mark of the first quarter, marking his first appearance since Jan. 25 against Miami.
"He was going to go out there and see how he was doing in the noncontact portion of (Friday's practice)," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He felt great. We had a good, hard practice yesterday. He scrimmaged. He had no pain, took a couple hits. He actually took a charge, might be the first one in his life. He made it through and felt great this morning. So the doctors felt comfortable with him going out and giving it a shot."
Mirotic had an appendectomy just before the Bulls left for their ice show road trip on Jan. 27, but the more serious problem was a hematoma removal a few days later. Mirotic missed a total of 16 games.
Mirotic describes comeback:
Before Saturday's game, Nikola Mirotic discussed his road back from two abdominal surgeries, when he dropped weight and was able to put most of it back on.
"I was terrible (after the surgery)," he said. "I was seven days in the hospital without food, just drinking liquids. I lost 16, 17 pounds. I knew it would be hard. I was trying to stay positive, tell myself, 'Niko, stay positive, take your time, recover soon.' I knew I would recover in the regular season. It was hard, but another experience in my life."
A couple days ago, coach Fred Hoiberg talked about Mirotic being a couple weeks away from returning to action, but he surprised everyone Saturday night.
"I know my body because I am young, I am recovering quick," he said. "I have been working really hard in the weight room and we will see how it goes the first game. The most important to me is to be strong mentally and compete. I need to (know the) first couple of games will be slow."
Bull horns:
Derrick Rose fell hard in the first quarter while taking a charge from James Harden. He went to the locker room briefly after the opening quarter but returned to the game at his regular time. … Rose started the night averaging 23.3 points against the Rockets, his highest against any team. … Rose and Rockets guard Patrick Beverley earned double technicals in the second quarter. The two Chicago natives are friends off the court, but battle hard against each other. … Assistant coach Jim Boylen also got a technical in the second quarter for arguing a foul call.