After big performance, no rest planned for Wade
A restless night paid off Dwyane Wade and the Bulls.
Wade delivered one of his best performances of the season in Saturday's 102-99 victory over Sacramento and it happened on the second leg of back-to-back games.
Wade, 35, has rested on the second half of back-to-backs fours times this season. Coach Fred Hoiberg announced the plan is for Wade to play in the upcoming back-to-back at Orlando on Tuesday and at home against Atlanta on Wednesday.
"Yeah the plan right now is to have him available for both," Hoiberg said Monday. "I thought he had great energy for us down the stretch, made huge plays for us.''
Wade finished with 30 points against Sacramento, his third 30-point game this season. Also impressive were his 4 blocks and 3 steals. Two late steals led to the go-ahead free throw and clinching basket.
"He feels good. He came in (Sunday) and got treatment," Hoiberg said. "Today he didn't do a lot, just to give him one more day to get his body ready."
Zipser keeps role:
Coach Fred Hoiberg confirmed rookie Paul Zipser will remain high in the rotation. The 6-8 forward from Germany was the first player off the bench Saturday and was also on the floor during the final minutes.
Zipser, 22, played for Bayern Munich last season and seems to have both maturity and confidence in his game.
"The thing with Paul, that first game I started him at New York, the Garden (on Jan. 12), to be matched up at times with Carmelo Anthony, tells you everything you need to know," Hoiberg said. "He looked right in my eyes and said, 'I gotcha, coach. I'm ready to go.'
"I thought he went out and performed well, and since that point he's given us really good minutes. He's going to give you a good effort defensively. He can move his feet, sneaky athleticism to go out there and battle and not be afraid."
D-League grows again:
There will be at least one new D-League team next season. The Memphis Grizzlies announced plans Monday to operate an expansion team next season in Southaven, Miss., bringing the total number of teams to 23.
The Hoffman Estates-based Windy City Bulls were one of three new teams this season, along with the Long Island Nets and Greensboro (N.C.) Swarm.
The Grizzlies had been in an operating agreement with the Iowa Energy. The D-League also announced Monday the Minnesota Timberwolves will buy the Iowa franchise and keep it in Des Moines.