Chicago’s Rose to see back specialist

Sunday Toronto    92-94 LA Lakers Detroit 77-98 Washington    Atlanta  87-107    Miami    Golden State 106-97 Houston    Memphis 88-98 Utah   

Monday, February 13, 2012
Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose smiles from the bench. Net photo

SundayToronto    92-94 LA LakersDetroit 77-98 Washington    Atlanta  87-107    Miami    Golden State 106-97 Houston    Memphis 88-98 Utah    BOSTON Chicago's Derrick Rose, last season's National Basketball Association MVP, is to see a specialist about ongoing back problems.Rose missed his second consecutive game on Sunday as the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls lost to the Boston Celtics to conclude their nine-game road trip.Rose has been struggling with the ailment for weeks, and it forced him to leave a game against New Jersey during the first half on Feb. 6."The pain is in my lower back," Rose told the team's website (nba.com/bulls). "The whole trip (it's bothered me). I just played through it. It tended to get worse after every game.Rose is averaging 22 points and 7.8 assists this season but has missed seven games due to a variety of ailments, more than his first three campaigns combined. His status has been a game-time decision over the last week and there is no timetable for his return.Chicago is also missing starting guard Richard Hamilton, who is out with a thigh injury, while All Star forward Luol Deng is playing through a torn ligament in his left wrist.