Bulls' Joakim Noah to Play Game 2

Chicago Bulls' center Joakim Noah started in Game 1 of the playoff series between the Nets and the Bulls, which the Brooklyn Nets ended up winning without much trouble. However, he only played 12 minutes, as he was doubtful for the game beforehand. Noah has been struggling with plantar fasciitis in his foot for a few months now.

Nick Freidell of ESPN Chicago reported that Noah declared he'd be ready for Game 2.

"Hell yeah, I'll be out there," Noah said after the Bulls' 106-89 loss.

In the 12 minutes that he played, Noah shot just 2-for-6 from the field, good for just 4 points.
When asked about his foot:

"I think it will get better," said Noah, who iced his foot before he took a shower, then iced it again after. "I'm just excited for Monday. I'm not worried about (the foot)."

When asked about the loss, Noah said that he still believes they can bounce back.

""It was disappointing," he said. "We didn't play well at all. We didn't come out with the right mindset and they scored way too many points in the paint and we didn't execute well offensively... I think that we've shown great resiliency all year and I think we got a lot of basketball left."

The Brooklyn Nets took Game 1 by the score of 106-89, and scored 56 of those in the paint. Noah's absence made it much easier for Brook Lopez to score, who dropped 21 points, and for Deron Williams to drive into the lane, who added 22 points.

If Noah is to play in Game 2 like he says, the Nets should expect to see more than 12 minutes of him, but he won't be getting starter minutes. Lopez and the rest of the Nets will have to take advantage of both the advantage they have in the backcourt along with the frontcourt when Noah is on the bench.



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