Gibson helps shoot down Hawks

In general, it’s fair to say Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson have their locker-room cubicles next to each other so the veteran can mentor the Bulls’ second-year power forward.

But after Game 5 on Tuesday night, their close proximity served as the perfect way for Boozer to deflect the spotlight to Gibson.

On more than one occasion after the Bulls’ 95-83 victory, Boozer addressed a cameraman directly.

“This man right here,” said Boozer, pointing to Gibson stretched out to his right. “Turn your camera. This man right here was ON FIRE in the fourth quarter.”

Gibson hit all 5 of his field-goal attempts and scored all 11 of his points during the final period as the Bulls turned a 1-point game into a relative blowout.

Gibson and backup center Omer Asik played all 12 minutes as Boozer and starting center Joakim Noah took it easy.

Their reversal seemed only fair as Gibson enjoyed the simple life for the first three quarters.

He played just eight minutes and didn’t try a shot. He handed out 2 assists and committed 2 fouls, including a charge.

But in the fourth quarter, he became as unstoppable as Derrick Rose as he became the primary wingman to the league’s MVP.

With 9:05 to go and the Bulls holding on to their 1-point edge, Gibson cut to the basket, caught a Rose no-look pass and laid it in while getting fouled.

Gibson screamed and celebrated after the play as if he were Boozer, which seemed to set off the sellout crowd as well.

“I knew Derrick was going to get double-teamed and I was very aggressive,” said Gibson, who came up 2 points short of his playoff high. “My looks were great looks, and the shots I was taking were shots I’ve taken all year.”

The Hawks were still hanging around within 6 points with under five minutes left when Gibson took Atlanta’s Josh Smith into the post.

Gibson pivoted and faked to get a four-foot flip over Smith at the 4:33 mark. Two possessions later, Gibson drove into the paint and beat Smith with another short hook.

Gibson also displayed remarkable diplomatic skills when asked about allowing Smith to shoot low-percentage jumpers as often as he wanted.

With Boozer watching his protégé with a look of glee on his face, Gibson professed not to leave Smith open intentionally.

“Man, he knocked it down in Atlanta late (in Game 4), so I didn’t want him to hit that 3,” Gibson said. “I didn’t want him to hit nothing on me and then ‘Thibs’ would be ... one thing about ‘Thibs,’ he understands and I’m just happy we got this win.”