"One day after Carlos Boozer's breakout game, Derrick Rose summarized Boozer's much-chronicled previous struggles in the bluntest fashion yet.

"Boozer was just trying to force things," Rose said. "When you're not playing as well as you're supposed to, you overthink. He just had to get his groove. His confidence is high, back to where it needed to be. He was knocking down shots. Everything he was doing was quicker, more efficient. He was shooting without hesitating. That's the Booz we know. We need him."

With 23 points and 10 rebounds Thursday night in the series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Hawks, Boozer posted his first 20-10 game since April 8.

"We needed that from Carlos," Joakim Noah said. "When Carlos is playing at a high level, it takes our team to a whole other level."

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Boozer, who has two torn ligaments in his right big toe, is healthier.

Opposite reactions: The Heat — and LeBron James in particular — openly celebrated after eliminating the Celtics. The Bulls took a more subdued approach after dispatching the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"They have their reasons," Luol Deng said. "They really respect Boston. They went through a lot of losing to them. And one of the reasons they got together was to beat them. It meant a lot to them. I wasn't disrespected at all."

Of course, Thibodeau's idea of celebrating is to watch another few hours of game tape.

"You don't have that time (to celebrate)," he said. "Once we got on the plane (Thursday) night, you have to start thinking about the next team in front of you. ... It's a quick turnaround.""