CHARLOTTEDerrick Rose missed the Bulls Friday night rout over the Bobcats with a recurrence of his lower back spasms, but head coach Tom Thibodeau said it was for precautionary measures.
Rose is still the same, day-to-day, said the coach. More precautionary, just wanted to give him another day of rest and well see where he is Saturday.
Although Thibodeau said before the teams morning shootaround that Rose would attempt to warm up, afterward he said that the Eastern Conference All-Star starter spent pregame in the treatment room with team trainer Fred Tedeschi, where he watched the Bulls win.
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He was in with Fred, so well just take it day by day, he said. He was just in back watching.
Roses replacement, backup C.J. Watson, admitted that he knew Thursday that he would start Friday nights game and indicated that the reigning league MVP could return for Sundays tilt against the Celtics.
I knew he wasnt going to play today. I knew that Thursday coming in because we have a big game against Boston. I mean, I already knew, Watson sheepishly acknowledged. I know hes going to try to get healthy and get back on the court with us.
As far as his approach to startingWatson recorded a well-rounded line of seven points, five assists, four steals and three reboundsthe usual backup point guard said he felt no pressure to emulate Roses unique game.
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Same thing when I know hes playing. Go out there and try to be aggressive, try to change the tempo of the game and just push the ball, he said. I can only be myself. I cant be another D-Rose. I have to play my game and do what I do best.