DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah didn't suffer any setbacks to his aching right foot after Thursday night's Game 3 win over the Brooklyn Nets and coach Tom Thibodeau is optimistic about his center's status.
"He said he feels fine," Thibodeau said after Friday's light workout. "I think he's encouraged by how he feels. He's not great but he's not having that soreness like he did previously when he played, so that's a good sign."
Noah played 27 minutes in the win and went 0-for-7 from the field, but his teammates spoke about how they fed off his presence on the floor. Thibodeau expects Noah to play about the same minutes during Game 4.
"I think it's a good amount," Thibodeau said. "I say that as long as there's not any problems. If there's a problem then obviously we're going to have to cut back."
Thibodeau chafed at the notion that Saturday's game was a must-win for just the Nets, who come into the contest trailing the Bulls 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
"It's the playoffs," Thibodeau said. "It's a must-win for everybody. We know how good they are. They're hard-fought games; usually a playoff game can go either way so the urgency will be important for us and them and it will be decided on the court. That's the way we look at it."