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Bulls' Gibson fights through the flu

Taj Gibson revealed after Sunday's overtime win over Miami that he hadn't eaten anything since Friday, thanks to a bout with the stomach flu.

Gibson played 31 minutes, finishing with 10 rebounds and 7 points. He had a big fastbreak dunk with two minutes left in regulation and a key offensive rebound to start the overtime.

"I don't know how I got that one (rebound)," Gibson said. "In these Miami-Chicago games, special things happen. I got tired of running back, drinking 80 Gatorades. It was so frustrating to have no kind of energy, strength. I was just so frustrated because all my shots felt great (while hitting 3 of 11). But that happens."

Gibson was feeling sick before playing Memphis on Friday but led the Bulls in scoring that night with 18 points while playing 28 minutes. "It was a rough night," he said. "Thibs wanted me to at least play 10, 15 minutes."

Butler, James get tangled:

The Bulls won Sunday's game against Miami, but the wrestling match ended in a draw.

In the second quarter, Jimmy Butler and LeBron James got tangled up under the Miami basket after a Butler deflection created a turnover. While the rest of the players ran downcourt, Butler and James took turns giving shoes to the face and forearms to the chest while trying to get back on their feet. Finally a referee intervened and gave both players a technical foul.

"Two competitive people trying to get up and go play basketball," Butler said after the game. "Whatever happened, happened. But I don't back down, let's just put it like that.

"I'm mad I got another tech. I don't get techs. I don't. I don't like getting techs."

Gibson describes rivalry:

Taj Gibson provided a detailed description of the Bulls-Heat rivalry after Sunday's game.

"It's like a regular street-ball game They're talking, we're talking. They're physical, we're physical. It's insane," he said. "Then at times, they give you a nod, you give them a nod. There's still respect. But at the end of the day, they've got what we want.

The Bulls have plenty of respect for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Maybe a little less for Mario Chalmers, who always seems to be in the middle of it when things get heated. But there is no doubt playing Miami brings out Joakim Noah's extreme personality.

"I saw him right in front, on the foul line, talking trash, all of them to their face - like, 'Yeah, not in here tonight. Not going down' - and getting them mad," Gibson said of Noah.

Augustin finds range:

D.J. Augustin went 0-for-10 from the field in the Feb. 23 loss at Miami but bounced back to hit 8 of 13 shots, including 4 from 3-point range, on the way to a team-high 22 points Sunday.

"I didn't think about the (last) game," Augustin said. "You have bad games here and there in the NBA. You can't think about that. You have to put it behind you and move on."

Like father, like son:

Joakim Noah's father, former tennis great Yannick Noah, was at Sunday's game and drew plenty of camera time on the ABC broadcast.

"I know that he's happy right now," Noah said in the locker room. "I know he's a nervous wreck during games. I always tell him to drink a brewski and just chill."

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