Bulls give credit where it's due

CHICAGO (MCT) - The Bulls aren't ready to anoint Chris Bosh the taller, less-nasty version of Dennis Rodman just yet, but they certainly have a renewed awareness of the Heat center's ability on the glass.

The 6-foot-11 Bosh grabbed a postseason career-high 19 rebounds in his team's 104-94 Game 3 win at the United Center. His effort was the primary reason why the Heat took the all-important rebounding battle 39-37.

Carlos Boozer mentioned how his team's poor shooting contributed to Bosh collecting 14 defensive rebounds. Still, Boozer couldn't diminish Bosh's stellar performance.

"He got them that game, so give him credit," Boozer said after Sunday's practice. "Him and Joakim (Noah) are battling. I don't know how many rebounds Joakim had, but it's a good battle in there."

Noah had 11 rebounds in Game 3 yet would gladly sacrifice his own numbers to limit Bosh's contributions. The two have expressed a mutual respect for each other despite the heightened tension between the teams.

In terms of neutralizing Bosh, Noah talked about limiting his effectiveness on both ends. Bosh also had 20 points in the last game after scoring 22 combined in the first two. Boozer said Bosh enjoyed so many opens looks Friday night because of the added attention the Bulls gave LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

"He shot the ball very well," Noah said of Bosh. "He's a great player, can score in a lot of ways. As a team, we just have to minimize their easy baskets.

"If they beat us with long, contested 2s, you give credit where credit is due. But we want to take away the paint."

Veteran Nazr Mohammed viewed Bosh's performance differently. Mohammed pointed to Bosh's five offensive rebounds, considering Bosh had just five offensive rebounds total this postseason before Game 3.

"I always look at it as how many offensive rebounds he had," Mohammed said. "I mean defensive rebounds, somebody on their team is going to get them. When a guy really hits the board and gets 19 and has more than one or two offensive rebounds, then you have to focus on blocking him out the next time around.

"You just have to play Bosh tough. I don't think you have to throw out your game plan. But you definitely have to be conscious of him. We're already conscious of him because he's a great player."

Bosh is averaging 10 rebounds per game in the series after posting a career-low 6.8 per game during the regular season. His career playoff average is 8.5.

By the way, the team that has won the rebounding battle has won each of the first three games of the series.