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The NBA fined Chicago Bulls guard Marco Belinelli $15,000 for an obscene gesture during the fourth quarter of Saturday's 99-93 Game 7 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, a person with knowledge of the penalty told USA TODAY Sports. USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

Belinelli hit a three-pointer with 4:52 left in the game, giving the Bulls a 91-81 lead. After he made the shot and Brooklyn called timeout, Belinelli headed back to the Bulls bench doing the "Sam Cassell dance," a move made famous by the former NBA guard and frowned upon by the league. USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli, Sam Cassell 

Belinelli tied his season-high, and the game-high, with 24 points, and helped guide the Bulls to a 99-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7 on Saturday night. Belinelli hit several clutch 3-pointers during the game, and perhaps more important, matched Brooklyn star Deron Williams point for point. "I wanted to win this game so bad. I have never been to the semifinals, conference finals," Belinelli said. "I'm going to be the first Italian guy that is going to play in the second round. I'm happy. I just love this team." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

Despite injuries, Belinelli has been pretty solid for the Bulls. The problem with his pending free agency is that unless he agrees to stay on a low dollar deal like the $1.9 million he is earning this year, he may be priced out of Chicago’s range simply because of how much they have invested in other core players. Sources close to the situation suggest that the Bulls will look to upgrade at the two guard spot, meaning they could look at better players leaving Belinelli on the outside looking in. Belinelli is an interesting “value-priced” free agent. As bigger names fall off the board he could find real interest in his services on a multi-year deal. HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Marco Belinelli 

Marco Belinelli: Prayers up for @Kobe Bryant get well soon !!! The best! Twitter @marcobelinelli

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Marco Belinelli 

Mark Followill: For Chicago, just heard from Tom Thibodeau, he says Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis) & Marco Belinelli (ab strain) are out of today's game Twitter @MFollowill

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Injuries, Joakim Noah, Marco Belinelli 

After first straining his abdominal on March 10 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Marco Belinelli sat out Sunday’s game for an extra day of rest and could possibly return to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, a source close to the guard told RealGM. RealGM

Chicago Bulls, Injuries, Marco Belinelli 

The Bulls trailed the Nuggets 119-118 with the clock winding down in overtime. Marco Belinelli's basebline shot came up short, but Noah was there to tip in the miss and give Chicago a one-point lead. However, the officials gathered, consulted video of the play and declared Noah was guilty of offensive interference. Needless to say, Thibodeau was not happy with the ruling. He shouted at officials Kevin Fehr, Ken Mauer and Kane Fitzgerald and had to be restrained by an assistant and eventually by forward Luol Deng. USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Tom Thibodeau, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Marco Belinelli, Referees 

When the Bulls announced the one-year, $1.957 million deal, it made sense. Kyle Korver was gone, and they needed a replacement on the perimeter. That was the first mistake, according to Belinelli. Not that he couldn’t replace Korver, but that he was just an outside shooter. It’s the most common stereotype in the NBA. “It’s funny, because, yes, definitely it’s a stereotype,’’ Belinelli said. “I remember when I would work out, all I would hear was, ‘He’s just a shooter.’ I remember when I was in Italy, I was a point guard, I did a lot of things. I’ve just wanted to do my thing. I don’t want to be just a shooter. I’m here to help this team win games, no matter what I have to do.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

Chris Paul: Big Shot by @Marco Belinelli! Ciccioni!!! Twitter @CP3

Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Marco Belinelli 

Jessica Camerato: My most vivid memory of Belinelli was him eating a bunch of grapes while I interviewed him years ago. His GW shot may have replaced that. Twitter @JCameratoNBA

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

Chris Paul is a close friend of Marco Belinelli but said he didn't recruit him because Bulls were a better fit. "This situation was actually better for Belli," Paul said. "He’s a great guy, someone I loved playing with." Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Marco Belinelli 

Jeremy Pargo's explanation for cracking Marco Belinelli in the face with the ball near the end of the game “I was fouled, pushed in the back, but I wasn’t sure if they were calling the foul or not and I didn’t want to land out of bounds with the ball,” Pargo said. “I threw the ball trying to save it. I didn’t mean to hit the man in the face.” Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Marco Belinelli, Jeremy Pargo 

The two chatted on the court immediately after the game and shook hands as they parted. In the end, didn't seem like a big deal. Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Marco Belinelli, Jeremy Pargo 

He certainly didn't expect this: The shooting guard didn't play against the Bucks on Monday after playing a combined 9 minutes, 42 seconds in the previous two games. "For sure I want to play more," Belinelli said. Belinelli has scored in double figures just twice this season and not since tallying 11 points against the Timberwolves on Nov. 10. "I'm comfortable with my shot, but I'm not playing much," he said. "It's a bummer for me, but the NBA is like this. So I work extra before and after practice and try to be ready when I go to the court. I'm trying to play the best game I can." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

KC Johnson: Marco Belinelli on 25% shooting: "I know that I'm not playing good right now." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

There have been times through the first three preseason games that the moment has appeared to be too big for Marco Belinelli. On Monday, the Bulls shooting guard admitted that so far it has been. “I don’t want to use this as an excuse, but for me it’s a new system, and for me this is really the first time I’ve played with a top-level team,’’ Belinelli confessed. Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

Marco Belinelli signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls over the offseason, but he anticipates sharing the backcourt with Derrick Rose for seasons to come. When Belinelli heard Rose declare him the most impressive newcomer, he was ecstatic, giving him assurance that the duo has the potential to sustain a successful backcourt not only this season, but for the foreseeable future. “I’m here because I want to stay here long,” Belinelli told RealGM after Wednesday evening’s practice. “I want to win and I want to improve my game. And it’s amazing to hear [Rose’s compliment]. For me, to hear something like that from the MVP of the team and one of the best players in the league, it’s unbelievable.” RealGM

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Marco Belinelli 

Marco Belinelli talked with Tuttosport about his next adventure with the Chicago Bulls and said that the goal for the team is to win the NBA championship. "With Rose, Boozer, Deng, Noah, Hamilton, the Bulls are the best team I've ever played in the NBA" said Marco Belinelli. "We are a contender. We will fight for the ring against Miami, Oklahoma City, Boston and the two teams from Los Angeles. In the weekend I will go to Alcatraz for the Red Bull King of the Rock and I will say to Rajon Rondo that next season Boston won't have too much fun" added Belinelli. Sportando

Chicago Bulls, Marco Belinelli 

Marco Belinelli: Stay strong NOLA, thinking of everyone in that great city..... Twitter

Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Hornets, Marco Belinelli