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Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose returns to playoffs with vengeance for Bulls

Michael Singer
USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Rose scored 23 points in his first playoff game in three years.

CHICAGO — It had been nearly three years since Derrick Rose had set foot on the court for a postseason game, which is why, after an awkward landing following a foul midway through the first quarter, the United Center crowd held its collective breath.

Rose had gotten tangled up with Michael Carter-Williams, the Bucks' lengthy, promising guard, and laid on his back for a few unnerving moments. But unlike the last postseason game Rose played, which ended with a torn left ACL in 2012 and hastened two other significant knee surgeries, Rose's extended stay on the ground was the product of a savvy veteran and not another devastating injury.

"I was tired as hell. I just had to catch my breath," Rose said following his 23-point, seven-assist performance as the Bulls took Game 1 over Milwaukee 103-91. "All I heard was Joakim (Noah) telling me to take my time. Usually that's something I tell him when he's about to get up. Just a veteran move."

In just his sixth game back following his second meniscus surgery, Rose lit up Carter-Williams with his signature drives and circus, reverse-style finishes. He split defenders, attacked the lane, and danced around the paint, soaking up every moment of his postseason return.

"I only had three goals tonight, and that was to have fun, have no expectations and to compete."

Mission accomplished. Asked if there was any extra anxiety, Rose reflected a bit about the disjointed and oftentimes bumpy road back.

"When you miss a long period of time of playing a sport that you love or dedicating your life to one craft or one art, (your emotion) comes out in a weird way. I didn't mean to do it on purpose. It just came out," he said, referring to his first-half exit where he waved his arms and exhorted the crowd to get loud.

"It's grind mode," he added. "This entire time I've been grinding."

The same could be said of the Bulls, who began this campaign with realistic championship aspirations after signing Pau Gasol in the offseason. However, throughout the slog of their NBA season, hardly anything went according to plan as injuries derailed their seeding.

Saturday's win over the baby Bucks was just Chicago's 23rd game with its preferred starting lineup intact. They improved to 18-5 in such instances. Of the four times the Bulls had faced Milwaukee in the regular season, not once did they use the same starting lineup.

The Bulls held the Bucks to just 39% shooting and outrebounded the rangy frontcourt 52-41. Perhaps Milwaukee was lulled into a false sense of security after scoring 29 points in the first quarter against a typically stingy Bulls team.

"That first quarter was fool's gold," coach Jason Kidd said. "We're not an offensive team. That set the tone in a bad way for us. We thought we could outscore Chicago."

Aside from Rose's 23 points, nine of which came on three 3-pointers in a scorching third-quarter stretch, his backcourt mate Jimmy Butler tallied 25 as well. When healthy, the duo is as dangerous a backcourt as there is in the Eastern Conference. Not even the athleticism of Giannis Antetokounmpo (12 points, five rebounds) could inhibit Butler's slashing or propensity at drawing fouls.

Gasol finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds for his 55th double-double of the year, and Aaron Brooks added 13 off the bench for a Bulls team that recorded 30 assists on 38 field goals.

But as it typically does when he's healthy, the offense revolved around Rose, and his quickness opened up looks for everyone else, especially from beyond the arc. The Bulls had shot just 22-of-85 (26%) from distance against the Bucks this season, their lowest clip against any team. Saturday, they made 12-of-32 attempts, a direct byproduct of the attention Rose demanded.

"He makes everything easier for everybody. I don't really have to do much when he has the ball," Butler said. "Just got to spot up and make some shots and get out in transition. What he does well for our team is to take the pressure off everybody."

Inciting the crowd, diving on the floor for loose balls, getting out for transition dunks — there didn't seem to be much pressure on Rose, either.

"He just told me, 'Tonight's for the love of the game,' " Noah said of Rose's motivation. "That means a lot because I know he's gone through so much. It's hard to play basketball when you're not feeling well, and I think sometimes people and fans take that for granted.

"Just to see him out there, competing the way he competed, during the most important time of the year, this is fun. ... It was special for all of us."

Follow Michael Singer on Twitter @RealMikeSinger.

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