Bulls conclude practice without Rose and Deng

Unless the Bulls can pull off an upset in Game 5 at Cleveland, they held their final practice of the season on Monday at the Berto Center - without guard Derrick Rose or forward Luol Deng.

Rose visited the doctor and was expected to have an MRI exam on his left ankle. He was injured in the first minute of the third quarter on Sunday when he stepped on Shaquille O'Neal's foot. Rose stayed on the floor and scored 21 points in the Bulls' 121-98 loss in Game 4.

Deng took the day off to rest a sore knee and calf. Both Rose and Deng are expected to play in Game 5.

"(Rose) was limping a little bit today," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I think they'll both be fine and ready to play. Who's at 100 percent this time of year? Not many guys."

Win or else: The Bulls tried to stay positive, despite the tough task they face, having to win in Cleveland to keep their season alive.

"It's been a very resilient group all year," said coach Vinny Del Negro. "I expect us to come out, our backs are against the wall, and play hard and it will come down to how we play defensively."

Del Negro listed defense as the Bulls' biggest concern. The Cavaliers had 62 points by halftime and quickly pulled out to a 21-point lead in the third quarter.

"We have to find a way to win a ballgame in a hostile environment and come back to our hostile environment," center Joakim Noah said. "We just have to play a little more focused as a team, and I think we have a chance to do well."

Noah said he thought Monday's sunny weather helped remove the gloom of the Game 4 loss. Told it had been raining in Cleveland, Noah answered, "That (stinks)."

Cavs get focused: Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison credited his team's Game 4 performance to their Game 3 loss.

"After that loss in Game 3, you'd think we were done playing for the season," Jamison said following Cleveland's practice on Monday. "Guys took it really hard. We realized the effort and energy wasn't there early in the game.

"I don't think anyone got any sleep. Having three days off before you played the next game made it tougher. Guys got refocused mentally. We were prepared and we came out with that edge. We didn't have it in Game 3, but we had it in Game 4."

No time for rumors: Joakim Noah was asked about Del Negro's job security on Monday, but didn't want to join the discussion.

"How about we just focus on the game tomorrow and see that happens?" he answered. "Then once the season's over, we'll figure it out."