OKC Thunder: Ronnie Brewer won't play until Wednesday

Chicago enters Sunday's game coming off a 105-75 blowout victory on the road against Charlotte.

“They've got a good coach (Tom Thibodeau) and they play with a maximum effort just about every possession,” Brooks said of the Bulls (32-23). “They have guys that are committed to the defensive end. They put themselves in the game with their effort and defense. Very rarely will you see them get beat with no effort.”

If point guard Kirk Hinrich is unable to start because of an infected right elbow, he will be replaced by former Thunder reserve Nate Robinson, who quickly became a fan favorite in OKC after being acquired from Boston alongside Perkins. The Bulls are 5-9 without Hinrich.

“You have to keep him under control,” Brooks said of Robinson, who played sparsely after joining the Thunder with 26 games left in the 2010-11 regular season. “He's been their sparkplug. He's had a lot of great games for them. He's won a lot of games for them. He's somebody that we have to make sure that we don't let have an opportunity to get loose and have a big game.”

‘I AIN'T RUNNING'

The Bulls had two All-Stars in Luol Deng and Joakim Noah earlier this month, but veteran forward Carlos Boozer also has excelled this season, averaging 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Perkins and Serge Ibaka likely will alternate defending Boozer and Noah.

Perkins shrugged when asked if he would start out defending Boozer.

“I mean, I ain't running from him,” Perkins said with a smile.

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Brooks when asked what would have to happen to prove that his team was back defensively: “To hold a team under 100 points would be nice, or 110.”