Bulls hope to stick in playoffs after getting by without Rose, overcoming numerous injuries

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) looks to pass to guard Nate Robinson (2) as Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin, left, and guard A.J. Price (12) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Wednesday, April 17, 2013. The Bulls won 95-92. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, left, looks to pass as Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Wednesday, April 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

The Chicago Bulls won 45 games without a single point from Derrick Rose.

The former MVP point guard has been sidelined all season while recovering from surgery on his left knee. Just about every other key player got banged up at some point, too.

Now, with the playoffs set to start, Bulls are about as healthy as they've been all season, and they insist they just might stick around for a while after finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference. They'll meet the fourth-seeded Nets in the first round, with Game 1 Saturday night at Brooklyn.

Joakim Noah says he's "really proud of this season" because of everything the Bulls overcame. He says the Bulls "never gave up."