Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is ''doing more'' and getting closer to returning for the Bulls. But he is expected to miss his eight consecutive game with a groin injury tonight when the Bulls play the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

''He's running on the court now, so that's good,'' Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. ''Doing more shooting, more moving. He's coming along.''

Rose, though, still has yet to go through any contact or participate in practice. It figures that he will not return until he does.

The Bulls (40-11), are 5-2 without Rose in his most recent absence and 12-5 overall without him this season. They play the Hawks at 6:30 tonight.