Though there is no definitive timeline set for Cristiano Felicio’s absence, the Bulls are bracing to be without the Brazilian big man for at least a week and possibly two.
Felicio left Friday’s loss to the Rockets with what the team called a strained right lower leg, but the injury also affected his ankle.
Felicio has played well as the backup center and often is part of Fred Hoiberg’s closing rotation. The injury likely affords an opportunity for Bobby Portis, who has played sparsely in his second season.
The Bulls also recalled Denzel Valentine from the Windy City Bulls of the Development League and the guard is scheduled to rejoin the team here.
Crying foul: Along with lamenting a missed opportunity, the talk of the Bulls’ locker room after their 121-117 loss to the Rockets in overtime Friday night was a foul whistled on Michael Carter-Williams during the latter stages that had a large impact on the game.
With the score tied 115-115 and 2 minutes, 2 seconds remaining in overtime, Rockets star James Harden basically jumped on Carter-Williams’ back and it was the Bulls guard who was called for the foul.
That left the Bulls in a foul mood.
"(Harden) gets so many calls his way it’s ridiculous sometimes," forward Taj Gibson said. "I guess we have to call the ‘Referee Hotline.’ There were some rough calls late.
"I asked (the referee), it looked like James just blatantly jumped on Michael’s back," Gibson added. "But what can I do? I’m just a player. You just have to keep rolling through punches."
Carter-Williams, who had scored the Bulls’ previous four points, was sent to the bench with his sixth foul and Doug McDermott replaced him for the rest of the game.
"I was in front of (Harden), I was fronting him," Carter-Williams said. "I don’t know. All I remember is he jumped on my back and they called a foul on me. Tough call."
The call fell outside the NBA’s "Last 2 Minute Report" aimed at officiating transparency. That had three missed calls, all of which disadvantaged the Rockets.
Rockets 121, Bulls 117 Tim Warner / Getty Images
Bulls guard Dwyane Wade dribbles the ball as he is defended by Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets in the first half.
Bulls guard Dwyane Wade dribbles the ball as he is defended by Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets in the first half.
(Tim Warner / Getty Images)
Stand-in steps up: Carter-Williams, who had been riding the bench in recent weeks, was inserted into the lineup at the last moment when leading scorer Jimmy Butler had to miss the game with a bruised right heel. Carter-Williams took advantage and scored a team-high 23 points while adding nine rebounds and six assists.
That effort could pave the way for Hoiberg to return Carter-Williams to the rotation.
"Fred preaches when your name is called be ready to play," Carter-Williams said. "I’ve been working my (butt) off trying to be ready to play. Whatever Coach does, if I go back to the bench that’s what I have to do. Of course I want to play. Jimmy is going to be back, hopefully next game. However and whenever I can help the team that’s what I have to do."
Communication breakdown: The loss of Butler for the game was news to many of the Bulls until shortly before tipoff. They found out when Hoiberg announced Carter-Williams would have the unenviable task of guarding Harden.
"We didn’t know," veteran Dwyane Wade said. "Well, I knew because I was on Twitter before I came in here. I was getting my massage and saw (reporters) tweeting that Jimmy wasn’t playing."
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