Bulls have been able to slow Wade
The Bulls have done a decent job defending Miami star Dwyane Wade this season.
The former Richards High School star has averaged 22.3 points and shot 39.3 percent against the Bulls, compared to 26.5 points and 46.6 percent against the rest of the league. Last year Wade averaged 32 points against the Bulls.
Kirk Hinrich usually gets the assignment to guard Wade, but he refused to take much credit for slowing down one of the league's most explosive scorers.
"If I was out there by myself, I wouldn't have any success," Hinrich said. "But I think our team has done a decent job at times."
The Bulls have had trouble with some of the less heralded Heat players.
Center Jermaine O'Neal has scored 25 and 24 points in the last two games against the Bulls, while averaging just 13.8 points overall this season. Joakim Noah didn't play in either of the last two games against Miami, which might make a difference.
Another Chicago native, Quentin Richardson, has knocked down 12 of 24 shots from 3-point range against the Bulls this season.
Injury update: Joakim Noah participated in most of Wednesday's practice, and coach Vinny Del Negro estimated that the third-year center could play 15-20 minutes against Miami on Thursday night, possibly with two segments of playing time in each half.
"It depends on how his wind is and foul trouble," Del Negro said. "We'll up his minutes a little bit. We're going to figure it out. It really depends on how his foot reacts."
This will be Noah's third game back after missing 10 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The Bulls went 0-10 without him.
Forward Taj Gibson skipped practice to rest his sore left foot, while center Brad Miller participated in some of the workout.
Miami's Dwyane Wade suffered a bruised right quadriceps muscle Monday against New Jersey but is expected to be fine for Thursday's game. Veteran forward Udonis Haslem is planning to return after missing Monday's game with a sprained ankle.
Bull horns: TNT is hyping Thursday's contest because the usual studio crew of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley will call the game from courtside. - The Bulls-White Sox training academy is offering the chance to win an honorary ball person experience. Enter Online at BullsSoxAcademy.com.