It’s no secret that Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight is critical and must-win for the Bulls.  Fall behind LeBron James and co. 3-1 and the series is pretty much wrapped up.  But tie the series at 2 heading back to the United Center, and momentum – and home court advantage – will be recaptured.  Of course, the big news going into tonight’s game is the homophobic slur that Joakim Noah hurled at a Miami fan Sunday night.  Noah has been fined $50,000 for the incident, and has apologized.  The question becomes, will this incident be a distraction for the Bulls?

That’s doubtful.  Simply because Coach Thibodeau and MVP Derrick Rose know there is too much at stake in Game 4 to be distracted.  If anything, the incident could propel Noah to play his best game of the series, at a time when his inside presence is desperately needed.  Unfortunately for the Bulls, they essentially need Noah to step up his game to even have a chance.  Taj Gibson’s Game 1 dunks seem like ages ago, and not just because the NBA gave them a hundred days off between Games 2 and 3.  Carlos Boozer is again hit or miss, and Luol Deng has yet to have a big game since the opener. 

And it seems to all hinge on Noah. Seemingly every time he touches the ball, the Heat back off and let him pass it.  It’s not a problem right now that Noah has no jump shot; the problem is he’s not establishing himself under the basket for easy dunks and put-backs.  Noah is a better player than Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony, but he has yet to show it in this series.  If the effects of Noah’s stupid choice are him being fired up and playing out of his mind, then the Heat will have to account for him, letting up not only on Rose but also freeing up space for Boozer, Deng, and even Kyle Korver.  Noah must have a huge game tonight for the Bulls to win.

And I think he does.  Noah is too passionate to simply run away with his tail tucked.  I expect him to come out with energy we haven’t seen from him this series. And I also expect a similar game to Games 2 and 3: close for most of the game before one team pulls away.  With Noah’s newfound aggression and desire to prove a point, I think it’s the Bulls who pull away tonight.  Chicago wins a close one, 89-84.