Article updated: 5/13/2013 10:24 PM

Forgotten Hamilton makes rare court appearance

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The Bulls' Marco Belinelli welcomes teammate Richard Hamilton into the game Monday night at the United Center. After missing a long stretch late in the season with a back injury, Hamilton made just two brief appearances in the first round against Brooklyn and hadn't played at all in the Miami series. He finished with 11 points in 22 minutes in Game 4.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Bulls center Joakim Noah was named to the NBA's all-defensive first team Monday.

Rick West | Staff Photographer

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Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah reacts during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal against the Miami Heat on Monday, May 13, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Associated Press

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Richard Hamilton was as surprised as anyone when Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau looked down the bench and sent him into the game early in the second quarter. "Wow, I'm going in the game," Hamilton said later when asked to describe his thoughts. "It's a crazy game. Sometimes you've just got to be ready." After missing a long stretch late in the season with a back injury, Hamilton made just two brief appearances in the first round against Brooklyn and hadn't played at all in the Miami series.