MILWAUKEE – Derrick Rose scored 16 points and Chicago’s starting five impressed as the visiting Bulls defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 91-85 on Saturday night for their first win of the preseason.
For the first time in three preseason contests, Rose and Joakim Noah saw their minutes increase to approximately three seven-minute segments.
Rose shot five-of-ten from the field, including three-of-four from three-point range, and added five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 22 minutes. Noah recorded 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in 23 and a half minutes.
The starting group of Doug McDermott, Pau Gasol, Noah, Jimmy Butler and Rose was sharp on both ends from the onset, jumping out to an early 10-0 lead. Chicago limited Milwaukee to just four points in the game’s first seven minutes and never trailed.
Gasol finished with team-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Butler chipped in with 18 points and seven rebounds.
McDermott scored seven points to go with eight rebounds in his first professional start as he filled in for Mike Dunleavy, who sat out with left knee soreness.
Larry Sanders led Milwaukee with 14 points. Chicago native and Bucks rookie Jabari Parker tallied 11.
Chicago (1-2) will continue its eight-game preseason schedule on Monday when the Bulls host the Denver Nuggets (7:00 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago).