Taj Gibson's layup 4 minutes into the quarter started the decisive rally.
While Rose was out, Kevin Garnett was back in the lineup for Boston after missing Wednesday's game against Detroit because of a hip flexor.
Rose took some free throws at the morning shootaround, but wasn't able to run. Coach Tom Thibodeau says he is "feeling a lot better," but C.J. Watson started at point guard. Thibodeau also says Richard Hamilton is "making good progress." The veteran guard remains sidelined by a right thigh injury.
In another game:
* At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 32 points despite playing on a sprained left ankle and led the Indiana Pacers past the New Jersey Nets, 93-88. The Pacers (18-12) ended a season-worst five-game losing streak, thanks primarily to Granger's return. He missed Wednesday's game at Cleveland and the final three quarters of Tuesday's loss to Miami. David West had 16 points for Indiana. Deron Williams led the Nets with 29 points, and Kris Humphries had 24, but New Jersey (8-23) still lost its eighth straight.
Neither of the struggling teams could get a grip on this one through the first three quarters, but Paul George's 21-footer with 8:15 left in the game broke a 69-69 tie and started a 9-2 Pacers run. Indiana never trailed again.
Noteworthy
* LeBron James could picture returning one day to the place where his NBA journey began. Back in Cleveland. Imagine that. James said yesterday he would not rule out a return to the Cavaliers, a team he left as a free agent in 2010 to chase a championship with Miami.
