Hamilton extends his playing time

Kyle Korver headed into Monday’s action on a nice shooting streak. He’d knocked down 10 of 15 shots from 3-point range in the previous three games while averaging 14 points.

With Korver playing well, an obvious question was whether Richard Hamilton would ever become a crunchtime player for the Bulls. It didn’t happen Sunday at Detroit.

Hamilton got his chance against the Wizards on Monday. With Luol Deng out, Thibodeau used Hamilton and Korver together late in the fourth quarter. Hamilton scored 22 points in the loss, while Kover went 0-for-4 from 3-point range.

“Tonight was the first time we really tested over that 20-minute mark. I felt good,” said Hamilton, who played 34 minutes. “Especially on a back-to-back, it was a good sign. It felt good just to be out there.”

All those Jazz:

The Bulls lead the league in former Utah Jazz players, with Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer on the roster.

Those three may be interested in a nickname challenge. When Tom Benson officially became owner of the New Orleans Hornets, he mentioned he’d like a locally-flavored team name and wouldn’t mind going back to the Jazz.

That franchise started in New Orleans in 1974 and kept the name Jazz when it moved to Salt Lake City five years later. Commissioner David Stern, though, said a Jazz comeback won’t happen.

“It belongs to Utah,” Stern said. “I wouldn’t make it such an important point. There are many things that are indigenous to the area. I’m sure there will be some wonderful nicknames.”

Noah approaches Oakley:

The last time a Bulls player produced at least 20 points and 13 offensive rebounds, which Joakim Noah did Sunday at Detroit, Charles Oakley collected 20 points and 16 offensive boards on April 22, 1988 against Cleveland.

Noah’s 13 offensive rebounds tied a season-high in the NBA with Milwaukee’s Ersan Ilyasova.

Noah promotes art:

Joakim Noah is hosting an art supply drive at Saturday’s game against Dallas. Fans are encouraged to drop off new or used art supplies at any of the United Center gates.

The first 250 fans to donate an art supply will get a voucher to meet Noah after the game.

Bull horns:

Luol Deng turned 27 on Monday, but celebrated on the bench with a rib injury. C.J. Watson turns 28 today. ... Washington played without Nene (foot), Rashard Lewis (knee), Andray Blatche (conditioning) and Trevor Booker (foot). ... The Bulls lead the league in second-chance points per game at 16.2.