Bulls G Rose sits out practice, expects to play Thursday

Nov 13, 2008 - 2:28 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Chicago Bulls rookie point guard Derrick Rose did not practice Wednesday thanks to a back injury but expects to play in Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, according to a published report.

The Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday that the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft underwent treatment for the ailing back, including a massage, to prepare him for the contest against the Mavericks.

An electric first-year player, Rose registered his best game of the season Tuesday, collecting 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 113-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He tweaked the back early in the game but played through it.

The 20-year-old Rose came to prominence as the floor general for national runner-up Memphis in his lone collegiate campaign and has averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds in eight games with the Bulls this season.

Chicago, which will be without guard Kirk Hinrich for at least three months, may have forward Drew Gooden in the lineup, the report said. Gooden also sat out practice Wednesday but will test his injured right ankle at Thursday's shootaround.

The Tribune also said that guard Larry Hughes, who was expected to make his season debut Thursday, may hold off until Saturday's contest against the Indiana Pacers.