Rose sits but Bulls defeat Wizards 83-81

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Chicago's Derrick Rose missed the first NBA preseason game played in South America, sitting out the Bulls' 83-81 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee.

The NBA star's absence disappointed a sellout crowd of 13,635 at the HSBC Arena in Rio the gymnastics venue for the 2016 Olympics where the top ticket price for the preseason game was 2,000 Brazilian reals ($915).

Rose had played two preseason games without any sign of problems, but the knee flared up in practice Friday. There was no immediate indication of the seriousness of the injury, or whether it was just a case of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau being cautious.

Fans started chanting late in the game "Rose, Rose," hoping to see the Bulls' star make an appearance.

Chicago's Joakim Noah also missed the game with a groin injury.

Brazilian great Oscar Schmidt got a rousing welcome from the fans, but Wizards center Nene, who grew up near Sao Paulo, was jeered as he took the floor. And he was jeered each time he went to the free-throw line.

Many Brazil fans are unhappy because Nene seldom plays for the national team, and Schmidt has criticized him for not doing so.

Chicago led 44-35 at halftime and was in control most of the way until Washington took a 79-77 lead with 5:42 left.