Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 40 – NBA Blog

Banged-up Bulls prepare to battle Heat

Luol Deng was in the emergency room undergoing a spinal tap for viral meningitis. Kirk Hinrich, immobilized by a bruised calf, was limited to cheerleader role. Nate Robinson was so queasy he leaned over a garbage pail during his turns on the bench. Feverish Taj Gibson had the shakes. Joakim Noah was limping or grimacing or on edge about when the next flare-up of plantar fasciitis would force him to sit.

The injured, sick and exhausted Chicago Bulls arrive at AmericanAirlines Arena Monday night for Game 1 of their second-round NBA playoff series against a Miami Heat team that has been sleeping like a baby for an entire week.

Now would be the perfect time for Derrick Rose to make his comeback. The Bulls, who almost gagged against the Brooklyn Nets before surviving Game 7 on Saturday, need bodies in uniform. Rose has been wearing a suit.

But don’t count on Rose coming to the rescue. The dynamic point guard — MVP of the league two years ago — has been out since major knee surgery on May 12, 2012. After a grueling rehab, Rose returned to full-court scrimmaging Feb. 18. Doctors cleared him to play. But Rose has not felt right. A strange waiting game has persisted since.

— Reported by Linda Robertson of the Miami Herald

Derrick Rose not listening to outside criticism

Speaking on what could be the final day of the Chicago Bulls’ season, Derrick Rose said he’s unaware of outside criticism of his decision to sit out the season after May 2012 surgery to repair his torn left ACL and wouldn’t be bothered by it anyway because he’s listening to how his body feels.

“That’s my first time hearing about it,” Rose said Saturday of the critical fan contingent. “I barely turn on the TV. I’m with my son all day. So that’s about it.

“I’m feeling about the same, still being patient, still trying to take care of my body and just trying to enjoy this time and cheer on my teammates.”

Rose said there’s no benefit to announcing that he’s out for the season and said watching playoff games in street clothes has been difficult.

“It’s been hard,” he said. “But I’m able to get past it, knowing that my teammates are out there playing hard, giving the game everything they got. That’s all I can ask for.

“Who knows? It’s still in the air where I’m still trying to be positive and still trying to take care of my body.”

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Luol Deng still in hospital, will miss Game 7 vs Nets

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng remained in a Chicago-area hospital Saturday morning and will miss Game 7 against the Brooklyn Nets while guard Kirk Hinrich is a game-time decision with a bruised calf.

Deng tweeted on Thursday that he was taken to the emergency room on Wednesday and his symptoms indicated he might have meningitis, requiring him to undergo a spinal tap.

“As a result of the spinal tap I suffered the worst headache I’ve ever experienced and been the weakest I’ve ever felt,” Deng tweeted. “Yesterday I was unable to walk or even get out of bed. I made it to the UC and was sent home. (Friday) morning my symptoms worsened.”

He added that he was “the weakest I’ve ever felt” from a viral flu that forced him to miss a Game 6 loss and said symptoms worsened Friday morning, leading to a trip to the emergency room.

— Reported by ESPN Chicago

Luol Deng tweets about his health situation

Deng sent a series of messages via Twitter on Friday afternoon, explaining and updating his health status:

“It really upsets me that everyone thinks I would miss a game (because) of the flu. I’ve played a lot of games with the flu in my career.

“On Wed I was taken to the ER and my symptoms indicated I may have meningitis. In order to play on Thurs I was required to undergo a spinal tap.

“As a result of the spinal tap I suffered the worst headache I’ve ever experienced and been the weakest I’ve ever felt.

“Yesterday I was unable to walk or even get out of bed. I made it to the UC and was sent home. This morning my symptoms worsened.

“Now I’m back in the ER where I may have to spend the night… I want my teammates and Bulls fans to know I would NEVER miss a game (because) of flu.

“If I’m medically cleared I will fly to NY to be with my team and try to win game 7.”

— Reported by Mike McGraw of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald (Blog)

Andray Blatche comes through off bench for Nets

Andray Blatche nodded his head, then pumped his left fist as he strolled toward the locker room and heard applause from Nets management.

The eighth-year pro never experienced a moment like this, not after spending his first seven seasons with the lowly Wizards. He had been to the playoffs before but never factored in an outcome as much as he did Thursday night.

As raucous Bulls fans tried every method possible to distract him, Blatche calmly stepped to the free-throw line with 19.2 seconds left in regulation. A 68.5 percent free-throw shooter during the regular season, Blatche looked flawless as he made both shots.

“Those were the biggest free throws I’ve ever shot in my career,” Blatche said. “It was beyond loud. Even C.J. (Watson) said his ears started ringing.

“Those free throws meant a lot to us. I just focused and stuck to my routine. I didn’t let it bother me. I just shot the ball like I would any other time.”

— Reported by Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune

Nets win 110-91, cut Bulls lead to 3-2

Flourishing instead of fading in the fourth quarter, the Brooklyn Nets extended their first season in Brooklyn.

They need one more victory to set up the biggest game here yet.

Brook Lopez had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Deron Williams added 23 points and 10 assists, and the Nets beat Chicago 110-91 on Monday night, cutting the Bulls’ lead to 3-2 in their first-round playoff series.

Recovering from a collapse two days earlier that sent them home on the brink of elimination instead of tied, the Nets battered the Bulls on the boards and forced Chicago into being the team that wilted down the stretch.

”We came out very aggressive, as we have the past few games. I think the difference was just we sustained it for essentially a full 48 minutes tonight,” Lopez said.

Andray Blatche scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and Gerald Wallace had consecutive baskets in the finishing surge as the Nets finally pulled away in a game they led most of the way, but never by too much.

Two days after rallying for a 142-134 triple-overtime victory, the Bulls were outscored 15-1 at the finish and failed to set up a second-round series with Miami. Instead they will host Game 6 on Thursday…

Nate Robinson had 20 points and eight assists starting in place of point guard Kirk Hinrich, who bruised his left calf in Saturday’s game…

Butler scored 18 points for the Bulls, who were outrebounded 44-33 and gave up 24 second-chance points…

Wallace scored 12 points and Reggie Evans grabbed 12 rebounds as the Nets improved to 6-0 all-time in Game 5s at home. They have never lost a series when holding home-court advantage.

— Reported by Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press

Bulls PG Kirk Hinrich will miss Game 5 vs Nets

The Bulls will be without point guard Kirk Hinrich on Monday night against Brooklyn because of a bruised left calf. His absence might give Game 4 star Nate Robinson a chance to start in the potential clincher for Chicago.

Hinrich was hurt during Saturday’s 142-134 triple-overtime victory, playing through the injury to finish with 18 points and a playoff career-high 14 assists in 60 minutes.

But he was wearing a walking boot Monday, walking with a noticeable limp.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Kirk Hinrich has postgame MRI on sore left calf

Kirk Hinrich drew his fifth foul with 5 minutes, 39 seconds left in regulation Saturday.

He never came out again, avoided his sixth and tied John Salmons’ franchise playoff record with 59:36 of playing time.

“It was pretty grueling,” Hinrich said with typical understatement.

His extensive workload came on a left calf muscle sore enough that he needed a postgame MRI. Results weren’t immediately available, but Hinrich said the injury “is pretty bad.”

Given his grittiness, Hinrich will play in Game 5 on Monday if at all possible. His 18 points and 14 assists marked his first playoff double-double since May 2007, and his assists tied the franchise playoff mark shared by Michael Jordan and Sam Vincent.

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Joakim Noah plays, inspired, in pain

The primal screams and “jazz hands” gestures keep coming from Joakim Noah, and for good reason.

Playing 38 minutes, 43 seconds Saturday — close to nine minutes more than coach Tom Thibodeau’s stated pregame limit — isn’t something the Bulls’ emotional leader takes for granted.

“It’s a miracle,” said Noah, who is playing through plantar fasciitis in his right foot. “Before the series started, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to play.”

Noah didn’t just play. He stuffed the box score with 15 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks before fouling out with 4:21 remaining after sinking a 17-footer for the first points in the third overtime.

“The crazy thing is as the series has gone along, he has done more and more,” Carlos Boozer said.

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Michael Jordan marries longtime girlfriend

Chicago Bulls legend and Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan married former model and longtime girlfriend Yvette Prieto on Saturday in Palm Beach, Fla.

The ceremony took place at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church before approximately 500 guests. It was the second marriage for Jordan, 50.

A reception for 2,000 invited guests followed at the Bears Club in Jupiter, Fla., inside a 40,000-square-foot tent, the Miami Herald reported.

Among those in attendance were former Chicago Bulls teammates Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper and Toni Kukoc and former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing

— Reported by Reuters

Nearly 300 guests were present as they exchanged vows. The reception took place at a private golf club in Jupiter designed by Jack Nicklaus. Jordan owns a home near the course.

Entertainment included DJ MC Lyte, singers K’Jon, Robin Thicke and Grammy Award winner Usher and The Source, an 18-piece band.

The six-time NBA champion and Prieto met five years ago and were engaged last December.

— Reported by the Associated Press