Balanced Bulls rout Grizzlies 106-87
ST. LOUIS — Carlos Boozer scored 16 points and Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson added 15 each to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 106-87 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
Derrick Rose added 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting in 23 minutes for Chicago (2-0). He made his lone 3-point attempt and added four rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Jerryd Bayless scored 15 points for Memphis (0-1) while Ed Davis had 13.
Rose, a three-time All-Star, was pleased with his all-around performance. He said he felt better in the second half.
“I wasn't winded, I surprised myself,” he said. “I guess I'm in (great) condition.”
Rose scored 13 points in an 82-76 win at Indiana on Saturday, his first game in over 17 months. Rose tore his left ACL on April 28, 2012.
Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau was happy with Rose's progress from his first outing.
“He's feeling great and you're seeing those explosions to the basket,” he said. “You could tell he had a good rhythm going.”
Rose delighted a crowd of 13,497 with a coast-to-coast drive in the first quarter that culminated with a driving, spinning layup. He hit a 3-pointer early in the third quarter in the middle of a 26-13 run that put the Bulls in front to stay.
“The first half, I was kind of jittery,” Rose said. “Second half, I felt more relaxed. I'm just trying to get my timing back.”
Chicago scored 37 points in the third quarter to erase a 45-44 halftime deficit.
Rose spent most of the game guarding Memphis' Mike Conley, who finished with eight points on 2-of-8 shooting.