Bulls' Carlos Boozer upset with lack of playing time late in games

Carlos Boozer's 14.8 points per game average is the lowest since his rookie year. (D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer has not been a presence in the fourth quarter of many games lately, and he says he doesn't understand why.

So far on the road trip, once the fourth quarter has rolled around, coach Tom Thibodeau has decided to keep Boozer on the bench.

“Nah, I think I should be out there, but it’s his choice, he makes the decisions out there, so I play, I don’t coach. He coaches. So he decides that,’’ Boozer said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “But honestly, he’s been doing that a lot since I’ve been here, not putting me in the fourth quarter. Sometimes we win, more times than not we don’t, but that’s his choice.’’

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Boozer, 32, is averaging 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in almost 30 minutes per game this season for the Bulls (23-23).

"It’s very frustrating, especially when I’ve got a great game going or what have you," Boozer said. "Obviously as a competitor you want to be out there to help your team win and especially when the game is close, you can do things that can help your team win. And not being out there, all you could do is really cheer them on, but that’s [Thibodeau’s] choice.’’