Deng returns, but Hinrich forced to sit
The good news for the Bulls on Saturday was the return of Luol Deng after missing four games with a sore left Achilles. But anyone who’s followed the Bulls recently would expect some bad news to follow along.
Kirk Hinrich did not play against Toronto because of a sore back. Hinrich played 36 minutes on Friday in Milwaukee and hadn’t missed a game yet this season.
“It stiffened up on him,” coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters before the game. “Hopefully it won’t be anything that lasts long.”
Former Raptors guard D.J. Augustin made his Bulls debut in Milwaukee, but Thibodeau chose to start Marquis Teague against Toronto. Teague didn’t play at all against the Bucks, but he’s obviously more familiar with the offense than Augustin, who’s had two shootarounds of preparation.
“Next guy gets in there, gets the job done,” Thibodeau said. “I felt good about what D.J. did (Friday). Marquis has had some good games for us. Getting Jimmy (Butler) back was a big plus.”
Butler returned against Milwaukee after missing 11 games with a turf toe injury on his right foot. With Hinrich out, the Bulls were down to four players who have played in every game this season — Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy and Nazr Mohammed.
Augustin recalls big game:After his first game playing for the Bulls, point guard D.J. Augustin reflected on the first time he played against the Bulls, on Dec. 16, 2008.Playing for the Charlotte Bobcats, Augustin produced 29 points, 7 assists and hit 4 of 7 shots from 3-point range in a 110-101 victory over the Bulls. Fellow rookie Derrick Rose hit 3 of 16 shots for 6 points.#147;That was a long time ago, yeah,#148; Augustin said. #147;The longer you#146;re in the league, you#146;re on different situations on different teams. Back when I as in Charlotte, I played a lot and I was able to shoot a lot and do things differently. It#146;s all about adjusting to your role. Now I#146;m here and whatever the coach and the players need me to do, I#146;ll do it.#148;Dunleavy delivers late:According to Elias Sports Bureau, Friday#146;s 3-point bank shot with 5.8 seconds left was just the second time in Mike Dunleavy#146;s career he hit a game-winning shot with less than 10 seconds remaining. He tipped in a game-winner as time expired for Indiana against New Orleans on Dec. 20, 2010.Dunleavy spent the past two seasons playing for Milwaukee, but took no joy in beating his former squad.#147;This isn#146;t a case where you#146;re coming back and you don#146;t like the guys, the team or the organization you played with and you want to stick it to them,#148; he said after Friday#146;s game. #147;I like this organization. I#146;ve grown up with it. My dad#146;s coached here. So it doesn#146;t give me any extra satisfaction beating them.#148;