April 20--Tom Thibodeau wouldn't touch the subject after Sunday's practice. But he answered the question with his playing time distribution in Game 1, using Taj Gibson almost twice as much as Nikola Mirotic.
Gibson's ability to guard multiple positions seems a better fit in a series in which the Bucks' length can cause matchup problems. That's not to say Mirotic won't be needed. It's more to say Gibson, who had eight points and 11 rebounds in over 24 minutes, will play a larger role.
"He had good energy," Thibodeau said. "The rebounding was really good. If you take the last (regular-season) game out, Taj played very well going down the stretch. We need him to play well for us to be an effective team."
Gibson downplayed the strained right knee he suffered, saying he could've returned. He also is battling a sore left shoulder that needed a cortisone shot Wednesday.
"I'm starting to give a lot of respect to football players," Gibson cracked. "When you go 100 mph every play in the playoffs, things are going to happen. But I feel fine."
In their April 1 victory, the Bucks hammered the Bulls on the boards. But the impact of Gibson, a strong rebounder, goes beyond numbers to the little plays that win playoff games. Several times Saturday, he freed shooters with solid screens.
"When Thibs was in Boston, they screened well," Gibson said. "We said we wanted to screen like Boston back in the day. So I just took it upon myself -- and the bigs did the same thing -- to get guys open. Do the small things. They go a long way."
Double the fun: In the three meetings since Pau Gasol scored a career-high 46 points, the Bucks have double-teamed the Spaniard on almost every catch.
"I don't anticipate them always sticking to that," Gasol said. "The playoffs are about adjustments and keeping you off balance, so you have to be ready for whatever they throw at you. But if they're going to continue, somebody is going to get an open shot because we're such a willing team to move the ball, make plays for each other and find the open man."
Layups: The Bulls merely watched film, walked through sets and did some shooting at Sunday's brief practice. Thibodeau said Kirk Hinrich (knee) is improving, but he's questionable for Game 2. ... In a departure from regular-season meetings, Jimmy Butler started on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mike Dunleavy guarded Khris Middleton. "We just thought that was the best way to match up," Thibodeau said, without revealing if he'll do so again in Game 2. ... The Bucks, tops in the NBA at forcing turnovers, scored 25 points off the Bulls' 19 turnovers. "Got to be strong with the ball," Thibodeau said, while also praising 30 assists on 38 field goals. ... Gibson and Gasol had fun with Gasol's assist while falling down for a Gibson fourth-quarter dunk. "Well designed play," Gasol said, laughing.
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