Bulls coach says Joakim Noah is game-time decision

DEERFIELD, Ill. - Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau says center Joakim Noah is a "game-time decision" for Tuesday's playoff game against the 76ers because of a sprained left ankle.

The Bulls trail 3-1 in this first-round series and are trying to avoid becoming just the fifth top seed to lose to an eighth seed. They will almost certainly again be without Noah, who was injured in Game 3 and sat out Game 4.

Thibodeau had said Monday that Noah was "most likely out" for Game 5 but changed his stance slightly at the morning shootaround on Tuesday, saying, "Maybe he gets better from now until tonight."

Noah shot free throws at the end of the shootaround but had a noticeable limp.