HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jupiter socialite Filomena Tobias – aka the Miami Heat’s middle finger lady – came out of her self-imposed silence before tonight’s Heat-Bulls playoff game! Through Anthony Barbuto, her lawyer, Tobias acknowledged that her flipping the bird at former University of Florida star and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was indeed ill-mannered – but she maintains she didn’t deserve the media dredging up her past, especially her third husband’s mysterious death. gossipextra.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Joakim Noah, Filomena Tobias 

“Ms. Tobias has been a devoted Miami Heat fan for as long as she can remember, and like many other devoted fans, she unfortunately allowed her passion for the team to disregard proper fan etiquette. She is only human, and her emotions got the best of her,” Barbuto wrote after consulting with Tobias. “She offers her genuine apologies to anyone she has offended, and she requests that her privacy, as well as the privacy of her family, be respected at this time.” gossipextra.com

Miami Heat, Filomena Tobias 

Ethan J. Skolnick: LeBron on Wade: "I can go on and on about how great he is. I really don't care for the trash talk that he receives." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade 

Joseph Goodman: FINAL: Heat 94, Bulls 91. Heat takes series 4-1. Onto the Eastern Conference finals. Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat 

Scott Agness: If the Pacers wrap up their series tomorrow night, the ECF vs the Heat will open in Miami on Monday. Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Wade said he took a "mental day" yesterday. Said LeBron told him before the game: "I need one from you." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade 

Tim Bontemps: LeBron James: "Tonight we gave everything we have. I have no energy left." Twitter @TimBontemps

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Jeff Zillgitt: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra: "It’s a shame. I think everybody would have liked to have seen both teams healthy." Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra, Injuries 

Dwyane Wade, who played in the Miami Heat's series-clinching Game 5 victory vs. the Chicago Bulls despite his bruised right knee, said he will just deal with the injury throughout the playoffs. "I don't know what it's going to be from Day One to Day Two," Wade said. "Only thing I can do is do what I'm doing. If it gets better, I think you guys will know, and if it doesn't, I'll continue to go out there and keep doing what I can." USA Today Sports

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Injuries 

Ray Allen recounted a story about how a former teammate drank a very strange liquid concoction before games. “The strangest drink I’ve ever seen was Acie Earl,’’ said Allen, referring to a teammate on the 1996-97 Milwaukee Bucks. “He used to mix Coca-Cola and coffee and drink it before a game. I was like, ‘Never.’ I guess he was just looking for that caffeine rush… I got just spased even thinking about it.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Ray Allen 

Dwyane Wade knows he’s not 100 percent. But says he’s not going to try to “please the media’’ and do too much. "I understand that it’s not 100 percent healthy,’’ Wade said of his bad knee. “When I get better, if I get better, then I’ll do more. But right now just trying not to overdo it in trying to please the media and try to do something that my body isn’t going to totally let me do. So I’ll have to do whatever I can and hopefully have no setbacks.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Injuries 

Chris Tomasson: LeBron James was asked about being 2nd on SI's list of highest-paid athletes. "That has nothing to do with basketball,'' James bristled. Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Jeff Zillgitt: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra: "Dwyane will warm up with the intention of playing, and we’ll go from there.” So there. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Injuries 

Chris Andersen said he told Joakim Noah that the reason he was signed was to counter him. Andersen told that to Noah in the hallway at the United Center on March 27, the night Noah’s Bulls snapped the 27-game winning streak of Andersen’s Heat. “He’s a big threat. I’ve always been going against him,’’ said Andersen, who was signed in January and has guarded Noah since Noah entered the NBA in 2007-08. “You got to match his energy and style of play.’ Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Chris Andersen, Joakim Noah 

Thirteen NBA stars are among 2013′s Fortunate 50, a Sports Illustrated ranking of the top-50 highest-earning professional athletes compiled by Daniel Roberts. LeBron James leads the way among basketball players, ranking No. 2 overall on the list with a salary of $17.5 million and estimated endorsements worth $39 million, giving him a total take of $56.5 million. James, who boasts endorsement deals with Nike and Samsung, trailed only boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather on the list after ranking No. 5 overall in 2012. SI.com

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Chris Tomasson: Erik Spoelstra on LeBron trying to become 90, 50, 40 guy in shooting percentages; "I wouldn't put any ceiling on him in any category.'' Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra 

Chris Bosh said it's been “extremely difficult’’ adjusting from being the main man in Toronto to being on #Heat. "Everybody says they want to win,’’ said Bosh, in his third year with the Heat after being a 20-10 guy in Toronto. “But it’s always about what you’re willing to sacrifice to win. My situation is totally different. I rarely get play calls and before I was getting about 20 touches a game just off play calls (with Toronto). And that’s just something that I had to get used to. Just trying to match a different role in a different situation, it’s been extremely difficult for me. But I’ve kind of embraced that challenge and it continues to be a challenge. It’s never been easy. I try to rise to the top no matter what I do.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh 

Tom Haberstroh: To update: Dwyane Wade (knee) is a game-time decision for Game 5 tonight. Chris Bosh said he expects Wade to play. Twitter @tomhaberstroh

Miami Heat, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Injuries 

Jeff Zillgitt: Spoelstra on Wade: "Once he's cleared to go, in my mind, he's good to go. ... He had a very good yesterday. He had a good shootaround today" Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra, Injuries 

Tom Withers: According to SI's "Fortunate 50," LeBron James projected to earn $56.5 million this year. Second on list to Floyd Mayweather's $90 million. Twitter @twithersAP

Miami Heat, LeBron James