DEERFIELD, Ill. — It would probably take a broken bone for Derrick Rose to miss a playoff game, so consider this good news for the Bulls.
His sprained left ankle is just that — sprained.
Rose said he plans to suit up for tonight’s Game 5 when the Bulls try again to close out their first-round series with the Pacers.
“It’s getting better every day,” Rose said Monday. “I’ve been getting treatment on it the last couple of days, coming in in the morning, coming in at night, getting treatment. Hopefully, it’ll be ready tomorrow. It’s not broken so I’m definitely playing.”
The swelling has gone down, and although he plans to get a painkilling shot before the game, he was in flip- flops one day after wearing a walking boot. He sat out Monday’s practice, but the Bulls can breathe a little easier knowing that an MRI confirmed there was no major structural damage.
Rose sprained his ankle driving to the basket late in the first quarter of Game 4 on Saturday. He scored just eight points on 3-for-16 shooting after the injury.
Lakers reserve arrested
NEW ORLEANS — Lakers backup forward Derrick Caracter was arrested, accused of public drunkenness and shoving a cashier at a pancake restaurant.
Police said the 22-year-old player was arrested early Sunday and booked into jail on charges of battery, public drunkenness and resisting arrest. Police said Caracter allegedly grabbed and shoved the cashier at an International House of Pancakes after he was refused service and became belligerent. The woman wasn’t injured.
Cuban ready to pay to say
DALLAS — Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said officials missed two crucial calls during Dallas’ 18-point meltdown during the fourth quarter of a Game 4 loss to Portland. He’s so sure of it, he’s “absolutely” willing to be fined for voicing his complaints.
“Just so that it’s on the record,” he said before Game 5 on Monday night.
The Associated Press
