Bulls' Dunleavy not concerned about thumb
Mike Dunleavy sat out the final 9:36 on Sunday after injuring his left thumb, but he wasn't concerned about the injury after the game.
The incident occurred when Dunleavy fell backward trying to take a charge. He stayed on the floor as play continued, then a timeout was called and he headed to the bench gingerly holding his left arm.
"I just put my hand down as I was taking the charge. I put my hand back and jammed my thumb," he said. "It's pretty sore right now, but I don't think it's anything dramatic."
Dunleavy had an X-ray taken after the game but didn't know the results before leaving the locker room.
"I don't think (it's broken), and it probably doesn't even really matter. It's my left hand and it's not going to make a difference for me," he said. The Bulls announced Sunday night that Dunleavy had suffered a bruised thumb.
After scoring a playoff career-high 35 points in Friday's Game 3, Dunleavy scored 6 points Sunday and went 0-for-2 from 3-point range. He made a franchise playoff-record 8 baskets from 3-point land in Game 3.
Thibs supports Rivers:
Before Sunday's game, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau had some strong thoughts about Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling's widely publicized comments. One of Thibodeau's closest allies in the profession is Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, who employed Thibodeau in Boston from 2008-10.
"It's disappointing and it's sad and it's very unfortunate for our league," Thibodeau said. "Our league has been at the forefront for diversity and equality for everybody, so it's very disappointing.
"Personally, with my relationship with Doc, I feel badly for him because I know the amount of work that he has put into preparing that team. But I'm also very glad that he's the guy there that's running that organization. I think that's important for our league."
Thibodeau said he has exchanged texts with Rivers but hadn't yet spoken to him since the news broke.
Wittman compares eras:
In the wake of Nene's suspension, Wizards coach Randy Wittman is well-equipped to comment on the relative physicality of today's NBA.
Wittman played from 1983-92 and started at shooting guard for Atlanta during many of those years, teaming with Doc Rivers and Dominique Wilkins. That Hawks team had to battle the Bad Boy Pistons and Larry Bird's Celtics in the playoffs.
Asked to compare then and now, Wittman said: "Not even close. It's like sixth-grade flag football compared to NFL tackle football."
Not much on Nene:
Washington coach Randy Wittman didn't try to complain about Nene's suspension for Game 4. "Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter what my thoughts are," he said before the contest.
Late in Sunday's game, the home fans chanted, "Free Nene."
History not on Bulls' side:
The Bulls have fallen behind 3-1 in a seven-game playoff series eight times in team history. They lost Game 5 six times, won Game 5 twice (2007 vs. Detroit, 2012 vs. Philadelphia), but lost both of those series in Game 6. Last year Brooklyn rallied from a 3-1 deficit against the Bulls, then lost Game 7.