Dunleavy won't face suspension for scrap with Bucks player

When the going got rough in Round 1 against Milwaukee, Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy was often right in the middle of it.

The Bulls found out Saturday that Dunleavy was given a flagrant foul for striking Milwaukee forward Michael Carter-Williams in the throat early in Game 6, but Dunleavy will not be suspended.

"I'm not surprised," Dunleavy said after practice at the Advocate Center. "I wasn't expecting anything to happen. I talked to the NBA. There was a bunch of stuff that went on, obviously, last game. Part of protocol."

After Carter-Williams launched a shot, Dunleavy reached over and gave him a shove to the throat. No foul was called and Carter-Williams left the game briefly after it happened. Dunleavy said he agreed with being given a flagrant foul.

"I guess so, because after seeing the replay, there was some contact above the neck," he said.

The final tally in the Bulls-Bucks series was 14 technicals and 5 flagrants, including Dunleavy's upgrade.

"Mike's a fierce competitor," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. "He knows how important getting to loose balls are and getting deflections and hustle plays. Often times in the playoffs, that's what it comes down to."

Bucks forward suspended:

Speaking of physical plays involving Mike Dunleavy, the NBA suspended Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo one game for his violent foul against Dunleavy in the second quarter of Game 6. Since Milwaukee's season is over, he'll serve the suspension next year.

Antetokounmpo was ejected after tackling Dunleavy into the front row seats after Dunleavy launched a 3-point shot. Replays showed that Antetokounmpo got tangled up with Dunleavy while battling for a rebound on the previous possession. Antetokounmpo fell to the ground, got up and ran straight for Dunleavy on the other end of the court.

Asked about the incident Saturday, Dunleavy said he'd be fine if the second-year Milwaukee forward was not suspended.

"I don't think he should be penalized," Dunleavy said. "I think he was penalized during the game. Flagrant foul, free throw and he was ejected. Seems fair to me.

"Look, I have no issues with the guy. Nice kid, young kid, going to be a really good player. It doesn't change my feelings about wanting to get over to Dimitri's."

That last comment was a reference to a Greek restaurant and Antetokounmpo being from Greece.

Antetokounmpo apologized for the foul in Milwaukee on Friday and told reporters he would try to speak to Dunleavy in person.

Bring the 'A' game:

One of the Bulls' tendencies this season is giving an inconsistent effort. Taj Gibson was asked Saturday about bringing the same intensity from Thursday's 54-point win at Milwaukee to Game 1 at Cleveland on Monday night.

"Man, if you can't get geared up for Game 1 of this series, you've got to ask yourself what you're doing," he said. "Because it's the best of the best, there's a lot at stake. We understand it's a great team. We can't have any dysfunction the way we had when we played the Bucks.

"I understand the Bucks are a good team, but this is a different ballgame. This is a veteran team we're playing against in Cleveland with guys that have seen championships."

Barkley likes Bulls:

The Bulls got some support from TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith heading into the Cleveland series.

"They are too deep at every position and have a terrific coach in Tom Thibodeau," Barkley said. "The only question we have ever had about the Bulls is can Derrick Rose stay healthy? If they play at this (Game 6) level they are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and maybe the NBA. I'm going with the Bulls."

"With the (Kevin Love) injury and (J.R. Smith) suspension, I would lean toward Chicago," Smith said. "I think they have the best eight-player roster in basketball. Between Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, they have four guys who will be all-stars multiple times ... they are probably the only team left that could say that. I still would go with Chicago, even if Love were available. They have been waiting for this."