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Joakim Noah wasn't the only New York-native big man on the court for Chicago in their game against the Knicks Friday. It's likely neither played as long as he wanted to, though.
Noah was ejected with four minutes remaining after a scuffle with Knicks center Tyson Chandler, and Gibson, still nursing a sprained ankle, only played four minutes in the 110-106 win.
Gibson's versatility would have helped in this game, considering the Knicks' small-ball approach doesn't fit the defensive ability of Carlos Boozer, but the injury - suffered in Chicago's 100-89 win over Boston Dec. 18 - held him back.
It was Chicago's fourth win in their last five games, keeping a one game lead over Milwaukee and Indiana in the division.
Gibson is averaging 19.3 minutes a game for the Central-leading Bulls, scoring 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in all 25 of Chicago's games this season.
It doesn't appear he'll see much of an increase Saturday, as the Bulls are in Atlanta for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff against the Hawks.