Bulls bounce back, win

PHOENIX -- It’s the latest “Thibsism.’’ “The circle.’’ A phrase that first came out of the coach’s mouth after the Monday night loss to Sacramento, and obviously has staying power as much as he’s been throwing it out there since.

And what became evident in Tuesday’s 101-92 Bulls win was you’re either in the circle or you’re miles out. Even with some late-game heroics in beating Phoenix, Carlos Boozer just might be inching his way to the outskirts.

The power forward made headlines on Monday when he questioned Thibodeau’s use of him in the fourth quarter, or more specifically, there lack of use of him.

“I think I should be out there, but it’s his choice,’’ Boozer said. “But hon- estly, he’s been doing that a lot since I’ve been here, not putting me in the fourth quarter. Sometimes we win, more times than not we don’t, but that’s his choice.’’ Check, Mr. Boozer. Too bad Thibodeau put him in checkmate.

Not only did the coach rattle off all the numbers that say why Taj Gibson should be starting over Boozer in the fourth quarter, but took it a step further by going out of his way to point out how the unselfish, run-through-a-wall-if-asked Gibson is the model player in Thibodeau’s system.

“Sometimes you have to sacrifice what might be best for yourself for what’s best for the team,’’ Thibodeau said. “That’s what I love about Taj. Taj could be upset he’s not starting. He never complains. Whatever you ask him to do he just goes out there and does it. To me, what he does speaks volumes.’’