Carlos Boozer remains optimistic

Boozer responded to criticism from former Bulls star Horace Grant, who told ESPNChicago.com Thursday that if Boozer can't produce, then he should sit.

"I don't agree with that," Boozer said. "I think if I'm out there and I can help my team, I will.

"My teammates want me to play if I can play. My coaches want me to play if I can play. And I can play, so I know I'm doing the right thing."

Bulls fans booed Boozer during Game 2 at United Center as he struggled through a 4-of-12 shooting performance.

"That's part of it, but I can't worry about that," Boozer said. "I worry about the guys in the locker room. We have a goal in mind, and I'm trying to play through what I have to play through to get to where we want to go."

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and teammates have come to Boozer's defense.

"When you boo one of us, you're booing all of us," Joakim Noah said Friday. "Because we're all in this together. That's the way we feel.

"Boozer's a tough guy, and he's experienced a lot in this league. We know to get to where we want to get to, we need Booz."