NBA-National Basketball Association roundup

Feb 27 (The Sports Xchange) - A gloomy week in Chicago ended with optimism Friday when Bulls general manager Gar Forman said the team expects Derrick Rose to be back in 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Forman said Rose, 26, is driven to get back on the court this season after the medial meniscus tear in his right knee was fixed in surgery for the second time since November 2013. Team physician Brian Cole performed the surgery and Forman said Rose was immediately able to bear weight on his leg. When the Bulls announced the injury earlier in the week, most suspected it was another season-ender. Rose played in only 10 games last season, and the Bulls previously have been vague about recovery expectations with the former MVP. This time, Forman said all signs lead to the optimistic outlook that Rose, who is averaging 18.4 points per game this season, will be on the court before the playoffs begin. Coach Tom Thibodeau was preaching patience with Rose. "We've just got to be patient and just give him the time he needs to get through the rehab," Thibodeau said. - - - The Cleveland Cavaliers were without their two best players on Friday night. Guard Kyrie Irving has a strain in his left shoulder and did not travel with the team to Indianapolis and forward LeBron James sat out the game against the Indiana Pacers. Coach David Blatt said he wanted to rest James, who was sore after scoring 42 points in Cleveland's win at home over Golden State on Thursday night. Irving suffered his injury in the win over the Warriors. He remained in Cleveland to undergo an MRI while the team traveled to the road game. (Editing by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina)