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Rose, Chicago Bulls bounce Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (L) fouls Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler during the fourth quarter of game 1 the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 18, 2015 in Chicago. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 103-91 and lead the best of seven series 1-0. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
1 of 4 | Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (L) fouls Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler during the fourth quarter of game 1 the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 18, 2015 in Chicago. The Bulls defeated the Bucks 103-91 and lead the best of seven series 1-0. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

The Bulls will be a tough out if Derrick Rose plays like he did on Saturday.

Rose looked as healthy as he has all season and netted 23 points to lead third-seeded Chicago to a 103-91 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

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Rose's career has been filled with injuries and lost seasons since his MVP campaign in 2010-11. He's missed nearly 50 games per season over his last three, including 31 this season, and hadn't appeared in a postseason game since tearing his ACL in 2012 against Philadelphia.

But the explosiveness and creativity that made Rose one of the league's best talents four years ago made a timely cameo, helping him finish 9-for-16 from the floor with seven assists.

Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 25 points and Pau Gasol posted 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, who will host Milwaukee in Game 2 on Monday.

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Khris Middleton scored 18 points to lead five Bucks in double figures.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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