Noah has no time for frustration

After a quiet Game 4, Joakim Noah came back to life in some ways during the Bulls loss in Monday's Game 5 against Milwaukee.

Noah led the team in rebounds with 13 and scored 10 points, which was an improvement after scoring a combined 18 points in the first four games of the series.

He was at the center of a frustrating stretch in the fourth quarter, though, missing two point-blank lay-ins while the Bucks pushed their lead from 3 to 9.

"No time for frustration," Noah said Wednesday. "Just trying to stay focused on what I've got to do. That's it."

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau talked about Noah's play, which has been up and down all season, due in part to offseason knee surgery that at times has him feeling less than 100 percent healthy.

"Going into the season, we knew it was going to be choppy," Thibodeau said. "I just want him to do the things he does well. His game is a little unorthodox, hard to measure. But when he's making those great multiple-effort hustle plays, there's nobody that can do that like him. So that's what we really need from him."

Bulls can shoot straight:

The Bulls shot just 34.4 percent from the field in the Game 5 loss to the Bucks. At the same time, they shot 38.3 percent in Game 2 and won by 9 points.

In Game 4, the Bulls shot 48.5 percent, but committed 28 turnovers and lost. Whatever the box score reads, the Milwaukee defense has clearly been a challenge.

"We've seen a lot of what they do. We've seen it throughout the season," Thibodeau said. "We've got to make shots. That helps. The making shots part, you can't predict that game to game. The things we can predict - the defense, rebounding and hustle plays - that's what we have to do. We know we can be great at those things. If you do that, you're going to be in position to win. Some nights you're going to shoot better than others."

Noah on Donovan:

Joakim Noah was asked Wednesday about talk that his college coach at Florida, Billy Donovan, is considered the front-runner to take over the head job for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Great coach. I love coach Donovan," Noah said. "I wish him nothing but the best. I think he's going to be great."

Noah won two NCAA championships with Donovan and the Gators, teaming up with Al Horford and Corey Brewer, all still alive in the NBA playoffs. The Thunder fired coach Scott Brooks last week.

Welcome, Bulls fans:

Milwaukee's Jared Dudley on the heavy representation of Bulls fans at Games 3 and 4 in the Bradley Center.

"I know a lot of Bulls fan will come up I-94 (for Thursday's Game 6)," he said. "We want to thank you for helping the economy and funding the arena we need to get built.

"This is big for the city. Basketball is at the forefront right now. Young team. Everyone's talking about the future."