As for Joakim Noah, those chances are in doubt as the center continues to struggle with flu-like symptoms that slowed him during Monday's home loss to the Bobcats. Noah didn't even attend Tuesday's practice at the Berto Center, met the team at the airport for Tuesday's afternoon flight here but stayed at the team hotel during Wednesday's morning shootaround.
So did rarely-used Vladimir Radmanovic, who also has flu-like symptoms. Typically, a bug can sweep through a sports team once a season.
"You hope it doesn't, but guys get sick," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "That's part of it. The next guy has to step up."
Hinrich has been battling an assortment of aches and pains all season. The bone bruise in his left kneecap has been the most troubling. Thibodeau stressed how important it is to have Hinrich, who would be replaced by Nate Robinson if he can't go.
"When you look at his plus-minus and how the team functions when he's on the floor, we play well offensively and defensively," Thibodeau said. "That's what a point guard has to do is run the team. He's played well all season. I think he understands how to run a team. If you look at shot distrubution when he's on the floor, the right guys are getting the right shots. That's a big part of it.""
