Zo keeps word, Jordan keeps missing

Bulls-Heat
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Dennis Rodman scores a takedown on Alonzo Mourning.
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A Zo-Rodman scuffle spills into the crowd.
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Pat Riley says there's no escaping Dennis Rodman. (Courtesy: NBA/NBC Sports)
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This time around, Mourning was able to hold it together -- barely -- and the Heat staved off the sweep Monday by winning Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Alonzo Mourning puts Dennis Rodman in a headlock with 8:14 left in the game.

Bulls forward Dennis Rodman has been baiting everyone from Mourning to John Crotty during the series, and the tension peaked Monday as Rodman and Mourning were involved in three incidents.

"He's like flypaper, you can't get away from him. He like sticks to you," Heat coach Pat Riley said of Rodman. "You can't get away from him. The guy wants to hug (Mourning) all night. He keeps grabbing and putting his arms around him. It's ridiculous."

One incident started when Mourning made a move in the key and lost control of the ball -- a Mourning specialty, considering he is averaging 5.0 turnovers per game during the series.

Mourning went into the air as the ball flew out of his hands and he landed on Rodman's back. Rodman then flung Mourning to the floor.

"That's Rodman's game. He tries to get inside your head," Heat backup center Isaac Austin said. "You can't get into that. I thought Zo handled himself well."

On another occasion, as Rodman was falling to the floor, he grabbed Mourning's leg and pulled him down. They engaged in a kicking war on the ground before the referees stepped in.

Then, with 8:14 left in the game, it really got ugly.

During a play under the basket, Mourning grabbed Rodman by the face and put him in a headlock. Rodman tackled Mourning and they spilled off the court and into the photographers' area near the basket.

"I'm a smart guy. I'm not the guy out there making $100 million. He's out there trying poke my eyes out," Rodman said. "He's just a young kid. He doesn't know how to play the game of basketball."

Referees, Riley and the players who were in the game all helped break up the scuffle.

"I had a real hard time getting them apart," Riley said. "I had to get a knee in there, I had to get my arms in there, and they were saying everything to one another."

Double technicals were assessed. Neither player was ejected.

"It's unfortunate, we got tied up," Mourning said. "In that situation, the referees made the right decision. ... I'm just glad it didn't affect the outcome of the game."

"Nothing really happened," Rodman said. "We were just pushing and shoving. No big deal. That's basketball, brother."

Bulls coach Phil Jackson said it appeared Rodman was getting a head start on the pro wrestling he plans to do this summer.

"That ended up to be a wrestling match underneath," Jackson said. "I thought Dennis should wait until he gets his license to start something like that."

Riley wasn't as amused.

"He's ridiculous," Riley said of Rodman. "I think he's the most ridiculous thing to come along in this game. You know it. I know it."

Riley, whose New York and Miami teams have been known for physical play, was asked if he would like to have Rodman on his team.

"Heck no," Riley said. "At one time he was more conventional. Now he could only play for the Bulls. ... They deal with that and win in spite of him by using his talents."