With 6 games to play, Bulls catch some breaks
The Bulls watched the best and worst of NBA highlights over the weekend.
On Sunday night, Toronto's Chris Bosh missed a potential game-winning lay up as time expired and the Raptors lost at home to Golden State, allowing the Bulls to close within 1 game of the final playoff spot in the East.
"The basketball gods were definitely on our side," Bulls center Joakim Noah said Monday at the Berto Center. "That's what it's all about. Just a couple breaks here and there. Right now, off a missed layup, we're still in it. Hopefully we can be ready for tomorrow's game and get a 'W.'"
The Bulls have a chance to pull even in the playoff race Tuesday night. They'll host Milwaukee at the United Center, while Toronto plays at Cleveland.
The Bucks will be playing short-handed after center Andrew Bogut suffered season-ending injuries to his right arm while taking a nasty fall on Saturday against Phoenix. Bogut went up to dunk the ball on a fast break, lost his balance, then fell hard on his back as his right elbow crumpled beneath him.
The Bulls were as mortified by the gruesome injury as was everyone else who saw it.
"It hurt me watching it," center Brad Miller said. "You hate to see it. I just about broke my coccyx (tailbone) doing the same thing."
Miller fell awkwardly while playing for Sacramento a few years ago, and said Miami's Dwyane Wade gave a little push to throw him off balance. Amare Stoudemire of the Suns was trailing Bogut on Saturday and given a flagrant foul, but there was very little contact.
"It's just one of those crappy plays in basketball that happens," Miller said. "You're just trying to hold on (to the rim) and sometimes your hands just slip off. You're better off falling on your butt than trying to break the fall with your arm."
Noah took some joy from Bosh's blunder, but has avoided Bogut's ugly video.
"I really don't want to see it," he said. "I heard about it and I feel really bad. I'd never wish an injury on anybody, especially a good guys who's put in a lot of work. I wish him the best ."
Another storyline on Tuesday is the return of John Salmons. The Bulls sent the veteran shooting guard north on I-94 for Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander on Feb. 18.
Since arriving in Milwaukee, Salmons has averaged 20 points and the Bucks won 15 of their next 17 games following the trade.
"They lost Michael Redd (to a knee injury), so John just fit right into the play sets they had," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "John's a good player, so it doesn't surprise me. He's a good guy. He gave us a huge boost last year when he came here."
The Bulls are trying to keep all their players healthy for the final six games of the regular season. Luol Deng skipped most of Monday's practice, but felt good about surviving 66 minutes of action over the weekend after missing 11 games with a right calf strain.
"I was a little surprised, but at the same time I understand," Deng said. "No time to take it easy right now. We're trying to make the playoffs. I do feel like it's training camp again. My body's real sore."
Deng played well, averaging 13 points and hitting 12 of 21 shots in wins over Washington and Charlotte.
Rookie forward James Johnson skipped Monday's practice because of a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot, but predicted he'll be able to play against the Bucks.
Bulls vs. BucksTime: 7 p.m. TuesdayTV: Channel 9Radio: WMVP 1000-AMUpdate: The replay of Andrew Bogut's elbow-crunching fall to the court last Saturday had the nation cringing. Now the reality is Milwaukee has to play without their improving center, who averaged 21.7 points and 13.7 rebounds in three games against the Bulls this season. The Bucks (42-34) can still clinch a playoff berth by beating the Bulls. Ex-Bulls guard John Salmons is another big story. He has averaged 20 points since being traded on Feb. 18, while Milwaukee won 15 of its next 17 games after Salmons arrived. The Bulls are 1-2 against the Bucks this season, with all three contests decided by 3 points or less.Next: Thursday vs. Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center, 7 p.m.