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Bulls hoping Noah can get healthy, stay sharp

Do the Bulls have a weak spot in the lineup heading into the playoffs.

Or a lineup controversy?

Not really.

Center Joakim Noah sat out most of the second half in Sunday’s victory at Orlando. He played just 18 minutes, while Taj Gibson logged 30.

“He’s got to do better and he’s capable,” coach Tom Thibodeau said of Noah. “We need him to play better and he will.”

The reality is, Noah still isn’t completely healthy after suffering a sprained right ankle on March 28 against Philadelphia. He returned against Phoenix last week, but his ankle was still noticeably swollen after the game.

The Bulls are trying to give Noah some rest, while also keeping him sharp for the playoffs. When asked about Noah’s health, Thibodeau has been saying his center is fine.

Keep in mind, Thibodeau also insisted Carlos Boozer was fine when his production dropped. When Boozer started playing better, the coach felt it was because Boozer was finally healthy.

Noah is averaging 7.3 rebounds and 5.5 points in four games since returning from the ankle injury. He’s had a couple of tough matchups against outside shooting power forwards Channing Frye of Phoenix and Orlando’s Ryan Anderson.

“I’m so used to helping inside and trying to protect the paint. I have to realize when playing against shooters I cannot give any space,” Noah said after the Orlando game, according to bulls.com. “I made a lot of mistakes. I’m supposed to run them off shots and I haven’t been able to do that. I’m not where I want to be.”

One reason the Bulls managed to win 60 games despite significant injuries to Noah and Carlos Boozer is their depth of big men. Gibson averaged 9.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in the last five contests.

Phil not thinking Bulls:

The Bulls and Lakers would make an intriguing Finals matchup, considering Lakers coach Phil Jackson would be finishing his career against his former team.

Jackson, who has vowed to retire after the season, led the Bulls to six NBA titles and the Lakers to five. On Sunday in Los Angeles, Jackson was buying none of the hype.

“What I told the players today is we’re not concerned with anything in the Eastern Conference at all. Nothing,” Jackson said, according to espn.com. “When this season is finished and we play the next three games, then we’re worried about the first round and the team we have in the playoffs.

“Then I said, ‘I know you have a lot of people coming and say, Wow, you might be playing Chicago in the Finals.’ That’s the most ludicrous thing to say.”

Rose on a roll:

Derrick Rose, who was 10-for-10 at the foul line in Orlando, has made 34 in a row going back to the third quarter of the Toronto game on April 2.

Rose is getting closer to the franchise record of 49, set by Ricky Sobers in 1981.

Bull horns:

Carlos Boozer has collected at least 6 assists in three of the last six games. His season-high is 7. ... The Bulls practiced Monday at Columbia University in New York. ... With the Blackhawks scheduled to host Vancouver on Sunday and Tuesday, the Bulls will almost certainly host Games 1 and 2 against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday and Monday at the United Center.

Bulls game day