Richard Hamilton will sit for a second straight game with back spasms when the Chicago Bulls face the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night at the United Center.
The game will mark the first that Lou Amundson will dress for, though it's unlikely the veteran power forward will see playing time. Amundson signed his 10-day contact on Friday and participated in Saturday's morning shootaround.
"In situations like this, that?s where experience is important," coach Tom Thibodeau said on whether Amundson would play. "Obviously, you?d have a limited playbook in terms of what you were doing. But you could manage."
Marco Belinelli will start again for Hamilton, who was a late scratch before Thursday's victory over the 76ers.
"His back went out on him before the game, just locked up," Thibodeau said.
Luol Deng will play after visiting the dentist Friday because he took a Spencer Hawes elbow to the teeth late in Thursday's victory. Kirk Hinrich also is healthy and will start.
As for Amundson, he said the chance to play for a good team with a good coaching staff led him to the Bulls. The Celtics, Heat and Knicks also had expressed interest after he got waived by the Timberwolves in early February.
"I?m really honored to be a part of this team," Amundson said. "It?s a great team with great history and some really good players and great coaching staff. I?m really excited for this chance. Hopefully I can help continue that.
"They?re always a contender in the East. Being part of a good team is important to me."
The game will mark the first that Lou Amundson will dress for, though it's unlikely the veteran power forward will see playing time. Amundson signed his 10-day contact on Friday and participated in Saturday's morning shootaround.
"In situations like this, that?s where experience is important," coach Tom Thibodeau said on whether Amundson would play. "Obviously, you?d have a limited playbook in terms of what you were doing. But you could manage."
Marco Belinelli will start again for Hamilton, who was a late scratch before Thursday's victory over the 76ers.
"His back went out on him before the game, just locked up," Thibodeau said.
Luol Deng will play after visiting the dentist Friday because he took a Spencer Hawes elbow to the teeth late in Thursday's victory. Kirk Hinrich also is healthy and will start.
As for Amundson, he said the chance to play for a good team with a good coaching staff led him to the Bulls. The Celtics, Heat and Knicks also had expressed interest after he got waived by the Timberwolves in early February.
"I?m really honored to be a part of this team," Amundson said. "It?s a great team with great history and some really good players and great coaching staff. I?m really excited for this chance. Hopefully I can help continue that.
"They?re always a contender in the East. Being part of a good team is important to me."
