The Bulls needed Pau Gaol in Game 5 — they needed anyone who can score, and they needed more bodies up front with Taj Gibson ejected and Nikola Mirotic going into a funk.
They will have him for Game 6 — a must win for the Bulls. Via Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.com.
Gasol said he'll play tomorrow
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) May 13, 2015
Gasol had a good Game 1 in this series, but his defense has been an issue — the Bulls are 4 points per 100 possessions worse defensively when he has been on the court this series. That said, the offense jumps 7.6 points per 100 and the Bulls need the points and need the depth right now. More Gasol can mean less Mirotic, who has played very poorly of late.
Chicago has a legitimate shot to force a Game 7 at home, if they can get a few more points, if Derrick Rose plays like the guy from the first quarter before the shoulder injury, and if Chicago can find a way to keep LeBron James from being so efficient, like he was in Game 5 (easier said than done).
Then in a Game 7, anything can happen.