"If you think the condensed schedule has been tough on the players, imagine what the Bulls' training staff is going through. Trainer Fred Tedeschi and his crew will have to treat themselves for cramps and dehydration if they are forced to keep up this pace much longer.

On a night when Taj Gibson returned to score two points and grab four rebounds after missing three games with a high ankle sprain, Rip Hamilton reappeared on the injured list with a bruised thigh sustained in Wednesday's loss to the Pacers.

Hamilton was unable to finish the shootaround Friday morning and was considered a game-time decision, as was Gibson. Hamilton initially was listed as the starter at shooting guard, but he was replaced by Kyle Korver right before tipoff and didn't play.

"[The ankle is] getting there," Gibson said. "It's getting stronger and stronger. I just have to play through it."

Meanwhile, Luol Deng appeared ready to return, perhaps Sunday against the Miami Heat, despite a torn ligament in his left wrist. Deng has been effective defending Heat guard Dwayne Wade. After missing six consecutive games with an ankle injury, Wade was in the starting lineup Friday against the New York Knicks."