April 28--The Bulls finally found something that outnumbers their injuries from this season -- turnovers.
But with all hands on deck for Monday's Game 5, the Bulls know they need to limit their miscues to close out the Bucks and advance to a second-round matchup with the Cavaliers.
"We gotta take care of the ball," coach Tom Thibodeau said, when asked about the Bulls' 80 turnovers in the series. "We talk about fundamentals -- owning your space, passing with two hands, catching with two hands, tucking the ball, pivoting. And trust the pass. When you look at how they occur, it's usually too much dancing or one-on-one or risky passes. Hit the first open man. Keep the ball moving. When we do that, we get great shots."
Nikola Mirotic said he feels fine after returning from his one-game absence to his strained left quadriceps and swollen left knee. Kirk Hinrich, who has played sparingly in his first two games back from missing four with a hyperextended left knee, also is available.
The Bulls have won nine straight home games. But they're not looking ahead to the Cavaliers, who swept Boston Sunday while losing Kevin Love to a dislocated left shoulder that will sideline him all of next series. J.R. Smith also will miss the first two games after getting ejected for striking Jae Crowder.
"Unfortunate. Very unfortunate," Joakim Noah said on the Love injury. "You don't want anybody getting hurt. You don't wish that on nobody."
True to form, Thibodeau didn't bite.
"No," he said when asked if he had thoughts on Love's injury.
"No," he repeated when asked the possible Smith suspension.
The Bulls are locked in and focused on Monday's business at hand.
"I'm just worried about Milwaukee," Thibodeau said. "I leave that to you (reporters). It's the playoffs. It's important to stay disciplined, concentrate on what we have to do. Let's face it: It's easy to get distracted if you let yourself get thrown off course. So I really haven't thought about it."
