Low Vig

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose will not play Thursday night against the Boston Celtics due to back spasms. It will mark the fourth consecutive contest the reigning MVP has missed.

Rose had been considered a game-time decision earlier Thursday. He shot free throws but did not run during the team’s morning’s shootaround.

The news doesn’t come as a total shock; Rose didn’t sound especially optimistic about his chances of playing.

“I know that it’s going to be sore a little bit, but I know that I don’t want to deal with it during the game, where it gets tight, then it gets irritated,” Rose said. “I think I’m going to come back when I’m ready.”

Prior to Thursday, the 23-year-old reigning MVP had missed eight games this season, including five with turf toe, and he’s not happy about sitting.

“It’s killing me right now,” he said. “Definitely missing these games. Especially these big games. Playing against Boston and all the other teams I didn’t get a chance to play against this year. It’s definitely hurting me, but just try to stay focused, keep my head right and trying to get better.”

Interestingly, Chicago is 6-2 in the eight games that Rose has missed and has higher per-game averages in points, rebounds, assists and steals than in the 23 games he has played.

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An MRI last week revealed no structural damage to his back.

As far as playing in the Feb. 26 All-Star Game, Rose wasn’t sure.

“That’s too far away to decide on that, but I would love to play in the game,” he said.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said the decision to play Rose won’t be made by the player alone.

“He’s got to be cleared by the medical staff first,” he said. “And then he’s got to be comfortable that he feels good enough to go. It’s a compilation of things. Each day he’s gotten better, so we just want to be patient.

“Still day to day. He’s feeling better. Just did some shooting today. Still a game-time decision. We’ll see how he is tonight.”

Nick Friedell covers the Bulls for ESPNChicago.com. Information from ESPN Stats & Information was used in this report.