Game Five: The Mini Live Blog

Coming from you at the start of the fourth quarter of game five. Bulls lead 62 to 57.

10:35PM - Coach Thibs says the Bulls have to "play smart without fouling." I'm pretty sure the only way they could do that at this point is by pulling all their players off the court. They called a foul on Noah earlier for sneezing in LeBron's general direction.

10:37PM - If you didn't see the final four minutes of the third quarter, you should go back and watch. The officials were actively trying to throw the game for Miami. 1919 Black Sox style. The flagrant on Boozer was a terrible call, the next foul on Deng should have been a moving screen on Miami, the foul on Noah was awful, and the technical on Gibson was for less than LeBron does after every single play. Even Reggie Miller agrees. This is Lakers - Kings 2002 stuff. Is Tim Donaghy actually officiating this game? I can't believe the officials have ripped the Bulls off four straight games. On the bright side, the Bulls are somehow winning again, all while playing five on eight.

10:40PM - Just talked to a friend on the phone; we are collectively wondering when we're just going to have to stop watching sports. Is the joy of winning worth the pain, frustration, and risk of stroke related death that sit on the other side of the ledger? I used to articulate a pretty convincing argument (for me) about it being worth it, but anymore I don't know. I do know that I'm actually beginning to appreciate the Cubs lowering my expectations to nothing within a week of this season. After living through the Bears, now the Bulls, I don't think I could take the Cubs being relevant this year. My heart needs a break.

10:42PM - Rose brings the ball up, Bulls leading by eight. Kurt Thomas finally playing ... foul on the Heat not called. It's amazing to me that every time LeBron and Wade get bumped it's a foul, but when Rose gets hit it's not. James dropped his shoulder into Kurt Thomas, knocks him over, and Thomas is called for the foul. These officials have been worth about 15 points to Miami thus far, no joke. Somebody needs to have a federal investigation into this. Are we sure that David Stern isn't into the mob for about $5 million? These officials are working really hard to throw this game.

10:45PM - If you're Chicago you've got to go back to the pick and pop with Thomas. It's working. Wade hits a shot to cut the lead to six. Honestly, if the officials were calling this game even somewhat even the Bulls would be up by 25. What happened in the first three games was typical NBA deciding who was going to win by calling the game differently for each team; what is happening in this game is flagrantly illegal. Somewhere, Joe Jackson is nodding in agreement. He's seen a performance like this before.

10:48PM - Deng back in the game with seven minutes to go ... with five fouls, two of which were legitimate. Brewer with a huge shot. I like him quite a bit. LeBron is flopping so frequently that even Vlade Divac would blush. I don't think Reggie even flopped this much. I have to admit that I'm very confused why we have seen so little of Kurt Thomas this series. He's tough, he's smart, and he's thick. Tonight he's playing exceptionally. I've been asking for him since the officiating changed in game two. I'm glad Thibs listened (finally). Still, he's done a good job coaching this year, his rookie year. When the officials turn against you it's essential to have a tough vet who can help hold your team steady. Thomas is the only one on our team.

10:51PM - Bulls back up by ten, and ... Miami literally just tackled Ronnie Brewer, and no foul was called. Wade complains after he misses a wide open layup. No technical for that? This is embarassing for the NBA how one sided these officials are calling this. If congress could investigate steroid use in baseball they sure as hell can investigate this.

10:53PM - Finally a real foul on the Bulls; Rose hacks James but stops him from making the shot. Smart foul. LeBron keeps making his foul shots. He's certainly improved in that regard. 32 free throws made in a row. Even if Chicago holds on to this I can't imagine the league letting them have a prayer in game six. Stern might actually hit Rose in the knee with a crowbar the way this has been going. HUGE THREE by Ronnie Brewer after Rose gets fouled, but doesn't get the call. Hypocrisy, thy name is NBA officials.

10:56PM - While we go to commercial, text time!

- "maybe (the officials) just can't stand the sight of tears" (because, you know, if Miami loses they cry ... their coach told us)
- "This is unbelievable" (after the Noah foul/Gibson technical pu pu platter of calls)
- "The officials are actively trying to throw this game"
- "This is ridiculous. Even Reggie Miller said they have to start calling it on the Heat as well. That technical was complete bull****."
- "I guess bribing the officials is a step up from buying a ring on Ebay."

10:59PM - Brewer is playing great ... and I've got news for you: watch the replay of the Brewer foul on James. He didn't touch him; LeBron acted and got the call. He deserves an academy award. That is now two fouls he's drawn by faking contact. He's Reggie Miller 2.0 in the playing like a girl department. Somewhere, Michael Jordan is nodding.

11:01PM - Ronnie Brewer and Kurt Thomas ... amazing how strong, tough players can help. Wade with a tough shot, and he's warming up. That's not good. Rose back the other way ... and the turnover. Wade hits a layup and gets a foul call on yet another phantom foul. How is that a foul? Every single time Rose does that it isn't a foul. Thank God Wade and James are missing a few free throws now. Bulls are not getting good looks at the hoop, and James hits a three to cut the lead to five. Back to the foul that sent Wade to the line: you can't call that foul. That is how the league threw the NBA finals to Miami back in 2005 (I think) when they beat Dallas. I'm not going to look the year up, but if you do look up the free throw disparities. Actually, screw it, I'll look it up. It was 2006. This year's free throw disparity has been nearly as bad. Just this March Phil Jackson even said the free throw disparity was the league paying Mark Cuban back.

11:06PM - A HUGE PHANTOM FOUL on Rose giving Wade a four point play to cut the lead to three. Amazing job by the officials this game. They have literally given up trying to pretend they are impartial. Bosh just shoved Gibson in the back, which wasn't called, leading to a James three. No foul when Rose drove to the hoop on the previous play either. James and Wade (and probably Bosh) have been getting that call every time since game one. This is criminal.

11:08PM - Well, sports fans, here we are. One minute left, tied game, as the officials have managed to cut a 13 point lead to nothing. Using my Charles Barkley voice, "this officiating is turible." ROSE IS FOULED AND IT'S NOT CALLED. This is a joke. James pushes off on Brewer, no call, and hits the shot. Miami does nothing wrong I guess. Next text!

- "Cuban's going to have to dig deep in his pockets if he wants to buy the refs from Miami."

11:11PM - James shoves Rose to actually get a foul called. I'm so confused by how this game has gone down the stretch. I honestly don't know that there is any game I've ever watched, including L.A. - Portland, L.A. - Sacramento, and Miami - Dallas, has ever been this stupid. Rose misses the free throw. Even we can't save ourselves. Not that it mattered. After watching this game there is one thing for sure: there is no way in hell that the league was going to let Miami lose this series.

11:13PM - My head is literally spinning. This is on par with the way Bears - Colts felt as Lovie showed his incompetence, and Cubs - Marlins when Dusty did the same. The Bulls grab the Heat with 22 seconds left; the officials don't blow the whistle until 16.8 seconds. The literally won't call the foul when we ARE TRYING TO FOUL. We should have just tackled LeBron and taken out his leg. Heat win. Congrats to the officials, and the biggest crook of them all, David Stern.

I was hoping that I was going to be able to avoid having to do this already, but:

"Help us Dirk Nowitski. You're our only hope."

If Miami beats Dallas I think I'm going to give up all professional sports. On the bright side, great job by Chicago for keeping their composure even while they were being screwed out of this series. I guess that David Stern decided they hadn't paid their dues yet, but they kept their cool. Here's to hoping that the NBA locks out their players next year. Congrats Mr. Stern: right after winning me back for the first time since 1998, I'm back out on your crooked product. Needless to say, it's going to be tough to get to sleep tonight.