MIAMI — Center Joakim Noah wasn't the only Bulls player to let his emotions get the best of him in Game 3 on Sunday against the Miami Heat.
Forward Luol Deng, who had another tough fourth quarter in Game 3 — two points on 1-for-4 shooting — blamed himself for getting irked by some calls that didn't go the Bulls' way in their 96-85 loss.
''Some of the calls got to me a little bit,'' Deng said Monday. ''I've got to do a better job of not allowing that. I felt there were some calls we should have gotten that we didn't. That's how it goes sometimes.''
The Bulls were called for 24 fouls; the Heat was called for 17. The Bulls shot 21 free throws; the Heat shot 29. And even though Deng said the officiating hasn't been one-sided, the Bulls are starting to speak up. (Post Up - they wouldn't be speaking up if they felt the officiating was fair)
Deng was called for a near-phantom foul on a three-pointer by LeBron James in the first quarter. After a timeout later in the quarter, coach Tom Thibodeau had an animated discussion with referee Steve Javie. Seven seconds after play resumed, Javie called a cheapie on the Heat's Mike Miller on a rebound.
''I saw the replay [of the foul against James],'' Deng said. ''I'll just let everyone be their own judge. I don't think the refs are favoring one side, but I don't think if I shot that three and [James] hit me that I would have gotten the call. But that's not where you win or lose the game. That's just part of the game.'' (Post Up - This sounds like some Phil Jackson sh%t where you complain but say you're not complaining)
Stat of the day
For what it's worth, Game 3 marked the first time the Bulls lost this season when Javie (4-0 previously), Ron Garretson (5-0) or Mike Callahan (5-0) was officiating.
Omer update
Backup center Omer Asik, who suffered an ankle injury in
Game 3 and went scoreless with one rebound in 15 minutes, is day-to-day, Thibodeau said.
''We're hopeful,'' Thibodeau said. ''He'll get treatment [today]. [Trainer] Fred [Tedeschi] will take him out on the court to see if he's having any problems, and hopefully he'll be ready to go.''
If Asik can't go, Kurt Thomas will back up Noah, Thibodeau said.
Inside presence
The Heat has been vulnerable inside this season, but Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem have shored up that deficiency to give the team an edge in Games 2 and 3.
Anthony had five blocked shots in 29 minutes in Game 3 and has eight blocks in the series. Haslem has mucked up the lane, drawing two charging fouls. (Post Up - you don't see Rose getting many charges on him because he knows how to twist and get around it; also because he is TOO FAST TOO STRONG; but they got a few on him and it shows the closing down of the lane by the Heat and their quickness)
''We just have to play smarter,'' Bulls forward Taj Gibson said. ''You know Anthony is going to attack every shot that's coming toward the rim. We knew that all year long. We haven't shied away.
''We have to make better decisions when it comes to getting in the lane. We have to make the smart pass or take the smart shot. And hopefully it can go a little better our way.''
The closer?
It's no secret the Heat has contained Bulls star Derrick Rose in the series, especially in the fourth quarter. Rose is a combined 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter of the last two games. He was 23-for-43 in the fourth quarter of the series against the Atlanta Hawks.
''The important thing is for him to make the right play,'' Thibodeau said when he was asked if he wanted to see Rose take more than two shots in the fourth quarter of a close game. ''I'm not going to measure if he's taking two shots or 10 shots.
''If he's double-teamed and the second defender is on him, I want him to hit the open man. If he's single-covered and open, I want him to shoot.'' (Post Up - Rose needs to shoot shoot and shoot with the offense of the Bulls lately)
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