The Chicago Bulls came very close to clinching the Eastern conference semi-finals spot, but lost a very close game against Milwaukee Bucks, 90-92. Hence, the contest would head over to Chicago for game 5 on Monday.
The Bulls, who lead the series 3-1, have themselves to blame for game 4 defeat with a season high 28 turnovers. If the Bulls come up with such performance against the Bucks in the fifth game, the Bucks might make an incredible comeback in the series.
However, the Bulls will be eager to shut the series at home.
"We are going to have to be a lot stronger with the ball," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told the team's official website. "They are coming through us. We are going to have to hold our ground."
The Bulls were careless in the final few seconds of the game, which allowed the Bucks to clinch it at the buzzer.
Derrick Rose accepted the blame for Bulls' defeat.
"Just wasn't paying attention to the ball," Chicago Tribune quoted Rose as saying. "Great call from J-Kidd. If anything, this is a learning experience. I don't feel bad for myself. I feel bad for my teammates knowing we could've forced overtime. I messed things up. But I swear I'm built for this (expletive)."
But expect Rose, who has not been at his fluent best in the Playoffs to come all guns blazing in the fifth game and help his team reach the conference semi-finals.
"If this was the last game or Game 7, it would have been totally different," AP quoted Rose as saying. "But we play again soon, so get this game out of my mind. We're going to come out and play hard. I can say that."
The Bucks on the other hand would be a confident unit as they prepare for game 5 and they can believe in themselves as well.
Bucks player Jerryd Bayless stated they are not giving up on the series.
"If we can run these guys off the line, and make them shoot tough, contested (2-pointers), we think we have a good chance," Bayless said. "We're still believing. We're not giving up on this series and we're going to keep going and see what happens."
The Bulls were always expected to win the series and they would be eager not to take the first round Playoffs to game 6.
Where to Watch Live
The NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 5 between Bulls and Bucks is scheduled for 8:00pm ET (5:30am IST, 1:30am BST) start.
Viewers in the US can watch the game live on TNT.
NBA fans can also watch the playoffs live on NBA.com
