BULLS 90, HAWKS 79: Derrick Rose returned to the lineup with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds as host Chicago jumped out early and held off Atlanta.

Carlos Boozer added 16 points and Joakim Noah pulled down 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who welcomed Rose back after a five-game absence because of back spasms.

The Hawks cut a 21-point deficit all the way down to five in the fourth quarter and were trailing 85-79 with 3:00 left when Chicago took over again. Luol Deng saved a broken play with a 3-pointer and Rose made Atlanta pay for a turnover, hitting a jumper out of a timeout to make it 90-79.

The Bulls grabbed control early, turning a 9-4 deficit into a 35-17 lead after the first quarter. Rose, Deng and Ronnie Brewer hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions and Rose showed no ill effects, totaling nine points during the burst.

Rose kept it up in the second, twice driving the lane for layups in traffic without concern for the injury.

The only rust came at the free throw line, where the 84 percent shooter missed four of his first six attempts before recovering to finish 5 for 9.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Former Bull Jannero Pargo led the Hawks with 19 points off the bench. … Atlanta guard Joe Johnson went 0 for 3 from 3-point range and is only 5 for 29 from beyond the arc over the last five games … Chicago was without C.J. Watson (head) and Richard Hamilton (groin).