Kirk Hinrich sits out Chicago Bulls' practice

March 9, 2009

Kirk Hinrich sat in a chair watching Sunday's practice, his right leg wrapped heavily in ice, and vowed to play Monday night when the Bulls begin a critical three-game trip in Miami.

When practice ended minutes later, Hinrich rose and his obvious limp displayed the other possibility.

"He's not doing real well and we need him, no question, especially with Dwyane [Wade]," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He's got a pretty big bruise and he's really stiff. If Kirk can play, I know he will."

Hinrich bruised his right quadriceps when Bucks forward Richard Jefferson inadvertently kneed him in the first half of Friday's game. The injury limited Hinrich to 4 minutes 46 seconds of third-quarter playing time.

Luol Deng (fractured right tibia) and Tim Thomas (strained left knee) also missed practice as the Bulls, just 10-23 on the road, face three teams ahead of them in the playoff race.

"We're definitely good enough to win on the road," Del Negro said, citing games against Orlando and Philadelphia. "We just have to execute better, especially down the stretch."

Swingman John Salmons said moving into eighth place with Friday's victory over the Bucks has given the Bulls confidence.

"We're a playoff team and we know we can play with some of the best teams in the league," Salmons said. "So we can be confident we can get some wins on this trip."

'D' for dominance: Wade is averaging 26 points in two games against the Bulls and leads the NBA with his average of 29.4 points per game.

"It's pretty similar to the team they had last year, but Dwyane is playing at an MVP level, which he is capable of," Del Negro said. "That opens up so many things for everybody else. You have to switch your coverages on him. He's having just a fantastic season."