Chicago Bulls centre Omer Asik doubtful for Game-4 against Miami Heat: Kurt Thomas in the loop
Chicago Bulls reserve centre Omer Asik, who is suffering from a muscle strain in his left leg, is doubtful to play the crucial fourth game of the Eastern Conference best-of-seven final series against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena.
The 24-year-old is under day-to-day observation because of the injury that he received in Bulls’ 96-85 loss to Miami Heat in game-3 of the series. Asik left the court during the third quarter in severe pain and did not return for rest of the period.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was however quite hopeful about Asik’s recovery and said after his team's Monday afternoon practice session, "We are hopeful.” "I talked to [athletic trainer] Fred [Tedsechi] earlier and he said he is day to day. He will get treatment [Tuesday]. Fred will take him onto the court to see if he is having any problems and hopefully he will be ready to go."
The unavailability of a Turkish professional basketball player in the next game is no doubt a great loss for the Bulls as they are one game behind Miami in the series and need all their resources come Tuesday night.
Asik, who gained recognition playing for the Turkish National Team in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, has benefited the Bulls throughout this season with his avidity and style of attacking the rim. The Turkish Hammer, as he is commonly known, often comes off the bench is averaging three points and four rebounds per game during this season. His availability is all the more vital at the juncture because Chicago’s first choice centre has been struggling to find his groove in the series.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has announced that if Asik would not be able to play the next game then centre Kurt Thomas would replace him. Veteran Thomas was dressed for the first three games of the series but did not play. Also Thibodeau has used Thomas sparingly this post-season, but he expressed his confidence in the veteran.
“Kurt is always an option because of his ability to defend, rebound, and hit the spot-up shot, and he is a great screener,” “So he can make your offense very effective.”
The 38-year-old came in and played very well for the Bulls in the middle of the regular season in place of Joakim Noah, who missed several months with thumb surgery. The veteran has featured in six of the Chicago’s 14 playoffs games this post-season and he is a player that the Bulls can count on.
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