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Joakim Noah doesn't expect suspension

After four ejections in the Bulls' 110-106 win over the Knicks Friday in New York, Joakim Noah doesn't expect a suspension for his role in an altercation he had with Tyson Chandler.

Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Noah isn't afraid to play aggressively.

That aggression was matched by New York's Tyson Chandler in Chicago's game at New York Friday, as the two squared off in the paint late in the game - a 110-106 win by the Bulls.

Jason Kidd hit a 3-pointer to trim the Chicago lead to 97-78 with 4:39 to play, and it appeared Chandler got position on him in the low block. Chandler threw his back into Noah as the shot went through the net. Noah's arm was around Chandler's and Chandler shoved it off as he turned around, standing toe-to-toe. The two exchanged pleasantries, and bumped chests before players broke them up.

No punches were thrown, and it didn't appear either attempted to do anything more than hold their ground.

Tensions were high in the game already. Carmelo Anthony was ejected after committing a hard foul on Noah with 6:45 left. It was his second technical foul in the game. That led to the ejection of Knicks coach Mike Woodson, which was two game minutes before Noah and Chandler squared off.

When asked after the game if Noah expected a suspension for the altercation, he asked, "For what? What did I do?"

"For the headbutt," a reporter asked.

"He headbutted me," Noah said.

Based on the video on CSN Chicago, it doesn't appear any headbutt was thrown by either of them.

The Bulls (15-10) have won four of their last five, and are at Atlanta for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff with the Hawks Saturday.