NBA Playoffs 2013: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat, Game 5; Depleted Bulls Face Elimination Tonight In Miami

The injury-riddled Chicago Bulls limp into tonight's Game Five, facing elimination at the hands of the Miami Heat, who currently lead their Eastern Conference semifinal series, three games to one.

Bulls All-star forward, Luol Deng; who is still recovering from a spinal tap that tested negative for meningitis; did not travel with team to South Beach. Deng has not played since Game Five of the team's first round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets.

"Obviously, he wants to be here but he's got to get better first," said Chicago head coach, Tom Thibodeau. "He's got to prioritize his health."

Chicago shooting guard, Kirk Hinrich, will also not play tonight, according to Coach Thibodeau. Hinrich is still mending from a calf injury he suffered in the first round of the playoffs.

"It's improved some," said Thibodeau of Hinrich, "but it's not good enough yet to where he can play."

Former league Most Valuable Player award winner, Derrick Rose, will not likely play tonight despite leaving the door open, throughout the series, he may come back to help the team. Rose tore his left anterior cruciate ligament, in last year's playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

"We have bounced back from a lot of adversity," said the Bulls, Carlos Boozer. "We've been the underdog all season with the injuries we've had, with the players we've had out and we've always responded and we'll respond tonight.

The Heat have injury issues of their own to worry about, as well. Dwyane Wade was listed as "questionable" and will be a game-time decision for Game Five, after participating in Wednesday morning's shootaround. Wade has been playing with a bruised right knee that has been bothering the All-Star guard since March.

Wade re-aggravated his knee injury after colliding with Bulls forward, Jimmy Butler, in the second quarter of Monday's 88-65 Heat victory. Wade received extensive treatment, on Tuesday, hoping to be ready for tonight.

"We'll evaluate him before the game and go from there," said the defending champions' head coach," Erik Spoelstra. "If he's able to go, there's no excuses and he'll give us everything he's got. He'll help us on both sides of the court. He's one of the best two-way players in this game. He's been making an impact regardless of what people think about that last column in the box score."