Chris Bosh gets big bounce-back to no avail

Heat forward Chris Bosh denied he felt “disrespected’’ by a remark by Chicago’s Carlos Boozer. But Bosh sure played as if he had something to prove.

Bosh was one of the few bright spots for the Heat in its 103-82 loss Sunday night to Chicago at the United Center in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final. He scored a game-high 30 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager had said on the air that Bosh was fired up by a comment by Boozer after the Bulls beat Atlanta last Thursday to earn the right to face the Heat. Boozer had said the Heat has two great players in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade while leaving out Bosh.

“So I asked Bosh [about that],’’ Sager said in an interview after the game. “He said, ‘I feel disrespected.’ ’’

Sager said his conversation with Bosh was not on camera and “off the cuff.’’ Bosh denied saying that to Sager.

“I didn’t say that, no,’’ Bosh said.

“If you don’t see a quote or hear it coming from me, I didn’t say it.’’

Sager also said after the game that Miami assistant Bob McAdoo reminded Bosh about what Boozer had said, telling him the Bulls are “concentrating on Wade and LeBron. That’s all they care about.’’

Boozer was asked after Sunday’s game if he meant anything by his comment about the Heat having two great players. Boozer said, “No, I didn’t.’’