Bulls uncertain about Pau Gasol’s availability for Game 5 vs. Cavaliers

There was no definitive word about big man Pau Gasol and his strained left hamstring Monday, and the Bulls aren’t sure whether he will be able to play in Game 5 on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

‘‘Day-to-day . . . I don’t know,’’ coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Gasol, who suffered the injury in the third quarter of Game 3 on Friday, didn’t take part in practice Saturday or go through pregame warmups before Game 4 on Sunday. And Monday was another day of inactivity for him, with a film session before an informal shootaround at the Advocate Center.

Thibodeau said Gasol has been receiving treatment since leaving Game 3 and would be re-evaluated before the Bulls take the court for their shootaround Tuesday.

One thing was certain, though: The Bulls missed Gasol offensively and in the paint in their loss in Game 4.

‘‘[Sunday] night we played without Pau, and you saw how important he is for us,’’ rookie Nikola Mirotic said.

When asked about the approach the Bulls must take in Game 5 if they don’t have Gasol, Mirotic said: ‘‘We need to share the ball.’’

Under review

Thibodeau admitted he asked the officials for a video review in the final seconds Sunday because there was some confusion about which team should have possession and how much time was left.

After the review, the officials awarded the ball to the Cavs and put time back on the clock, moving it from .8 seconds left to 1.5 seconds left. The review also allowed the Cavs, who had no timeouts left, to set up LeBron James’ game-winning shot as time expired.

‘‘The intent [of review] is very good,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘It’s to get [the call] right. And then you’re trying to figure out, is there an advantage to be gained? Maybe in those situations, particularly when a team doesn’t have a timeout, you don’t let them go to the bench. This is the first time around with it, really, so we’re figuring it out. I don’t like it in that sense. But, for the most part, the technology has been good.’’

When he was asked whether he regretted asking for the review, Thibodeau said: ‘‘I think [the officials] were going to do it, and I think [the Cavaliers] were calling for it, too.’’

Staying confident

Center Joakim Noah still was feeling good about the Bulls’ chances going into Game 5 and said very little needed to be talked about.

‘‘Nothing has to be said right now,’’ Noah said. ‘‘Everybody knows what time it is. Everybody’s excited. We watched some film. We’re going to make our adjustments and go from there.’’

Email: jcowley@suntimes.com

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