Time is now for Bulls to make playoff push

Posted March 24, 2010 11:00 pm

Mike McGraw

This would be an appropriate time for desperation to set in for the Bulls.

They sit just outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Three teams are within striking distance but just 12 games remain.

Therefore, the Bulls can't afford to mess up when they get a chance to meet their playoff competition in person. Sixth-place Miami, 3½ games ahead of the Bulls, visits the United Center on Thursday night.

"We've got to protect the home court," coach Vinny Del Negro said following Wednesday's practice at the Berto Center. "They got us down there in Miami (on March 12) and we've got to repay the favor."

A month ago, a playoff berth appeared to be relatively secure for the Bulls. But they nose-dived during the injury-induced 10-game losing streak.

With Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah back on the floor, they've won two in a row and are looking for more.

As of Wednesday morning, the Bulls trailed eighth-place Toronto by 2 ½ games and seventh-place Charlotte by 3 games.

The Miami game is the first of four remaining against their playoff competition. The Bulls will host the Bobcats on April 3, visit Toronto on April 11, then close the regular season at Charlotte on April 14.

"We know we're going to need a little help," guard Kirk Hinrich said. "At the same time, we feel like we've been playing better lately and we still have a shot at it. We're pretty upbeat and optimistic about our chances."

The Bulls' 108-95 loss at Miami on March 12 was a frustrating exercise. Playing the day after Rose was knocked out of action by another hard foul from Orlando's Dwight Howard, the Bulls still managed to stay close and trailed by 7 midway through the fourth quarter.

A short time later, though, veteran center Brad Miller was called for a flagrant foul against Heat star Dwyane Wade. Miller and Hinrich collected 3 technical fouls while arguing the call, with Hinrich getting ejected.

The resulting flurry of free throws stretched Miami's lead to 18 points and put the game away.

The Bulls were annoyed because Miller was standing flat on the ground with one arm extended when he fouled Wade. It was a rough foul, no doubt, but the Bulls felt Taj Gibson was hit harder after the whistle a few minutes earlier and no call was made, not to mention Rose getting flattened by Howard the previous night.

"I think you have to keep some of your emotions in control a little bit," Del Negro said. "It's going to be a heated game. We know that. We have good character guys. They know what's at stake."

No matter what happens Thursday, it will be tough for the Bulls to catch Miami. The Heat has a difficult test in Milwaukee on Friday but finishes the season with eight straight games against teams that are well below .500.

With two chances to beat Charlotte, the Bulls still could win the season series and pull within 1 game of the Michael Jordan-owned Bobcats by pulling out those two games alone.

Toronto has the most difficult remaining schedule, particularly in the next few days. It started when the Raptors hosted Utah on Wednesday. Next up is a home date with Denver, followed by a trip to Miami and Charlotte on Sunday and Monday.

If the Bulls can win out this week, they might have a realistic chance of getting back to eighth place. After Miami, the Bulls face New Jersey at home Saturday, then visit Detroit on Sunday.

"Focus in on one game at a time," Del Negro said. "You can't control what other people do, just have to control what we do and just try to keep protecting our home court and playing well."

Bulls game day

Bulls vs. Miami Heat at the United Center, 7 p.m. Thursday

TV: CSN, TNT

Radio: WMVP 1000-AM

Update: After losing Dwyane Wade for four games in late February, the Heat (37-34) has gone 8-3 in March. Wade is averaging 26.5 points on the season, fifth best in the league. But the Bulls have been hurt by center Jermaine O'Neal, who has scored 24 and 25 points in the last two meetings, and Quentin Richardson, who has made 12 of 24 3-pointers against his hometown team. The Bulls are 1-2 against Miami this season, with the home team winning all three games.

Next: New Jersey Nets at the United Center, 7 p.m. Saturday

Can Bulls gain any ground?

With Milwaukee pulling away for the No. 5 seed, four teams are battling for the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Here's how the remaining schedules stack up:

Home/Away +.500*

Miami 4/7 2

Even though they have the fewest home games, Miami appears to have the softest schedule. The last eight opponents include Detroit and Philadelphia twice, Indiana, Minnesota, New York and New Jersey.

Charlotte 7/4 5

Wednesday's game against Minnesota kicked off a five-game homestand. The Bobcats have one tough stretch in April, facing Atlanta at home, then New Orleans and Houston on the road within four days. They visit Chicago on April 3.

Toronto 6/6 6

The Raptors have a tough week ahead. After hosting Utah on Wednesday, they get Denver at home, then visit Miami and Charlotte. Also have road games left at Cleveland and Atlanta.

Bulls 7/5 8

Schedule may not be as tough as it appears, since the toughest games (Phoenix, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Boston) are all at home. Bulls playoff hopes may hinge on final two road games in Toronto and Charlotte.

* Games left against teams that were above .500 as of Wednesday morning

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