Deng out again: Hinrich doubtful
The injury-ravaged Chicago Bulls ruled out forward Luol Deng for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Miami Heat on Wednesday night and listed guard Kirk Hinrick as doubtful.
Deng is still not with the team. He remains in Chicago while recovering from an illness that sent him to the hospital last week for a spinal tap. Hinrich continued to be slowed by a calf injury.
Bulls coach Tom Thiboodeau is uncertain when Deng will return. But there were reports that Deng's condition is improving and he could be day to day with the possibility of being ready for Game 3 in Chicago.
With Deng out, the Bulls will continue to rely on Jimmy Butler for big minutes at small forward.
Hinrich has not played since Chicago's triple-overtime win in Game 4 of the first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets. Thibodeau said Hinrich's condition is improving and he remains day to day.
In Hinrich's absence, Nate Robinson has stepped up to fill the point guard duties and Marco Belinell has seen increased playing time at shooting guard. There were reports that Miami's LeBron James might guard the 5-foot-9 Robinson on Wednesday night.
The Bulls not surprisingly also ruled out guard Derrick Rose for Game 2. He has not played in a year after suffering a knee injury that required surgery.
