When the Bulls lost the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last season there was an epidemic of offensive ineptitude throughout the lineup.

Though the Bulls have seemed to have found an antidote in Rip Hamilton, they may be without their starting shooting guard Sunday when they play the Heat for the first time since last year's playoffs.

Hamilton sat out of Friday's win over Milwaukee with a thigh bruise and is considered day-to-day. He was limited to some shooting at Saturday's practice.

"We want all our pieces healthy, obviously, center Joakim Noah said. "But we feel like we have enough to win. We're just going to go out there and compete as hard as possible."

Forward Luol Deng also remains day-to-day after he tore a ligament in his left, non-shooting wrist. Deng has sat out the past three games, but did as much physical activity Saturday as he has since the injury. Deng still has not participated in contact activities.

"He's feeling better," Thibodeau said. "Again, he's still not practicing yet so he's doing a lot of individual work and a lot of therapy. So he's getting closer.

"Each day he's adding different layers to what he's doing."