Duhon inactive against Jazz

There was no evidence of a player vote on the matter, but Chris Duhon's punishment was essentially extended to two games when he was placed on the inactive list for Tuesday's win over Utah.

On Sunday in Detroit, Duhon was in uniform but did not play after missing the morning shootaround. He chartered a private jet to attend the Duke-North Carolina game the previous night, then said he overslept.

One difference in the Bulls' lineup Tuesday was that guard Thabo Sefolosha returned after missing six games with a groin injury. Sefolosha joined Demetris Nichols and JamesOn Curry as inactives for the Detroit game.

Asked the reason for Duhon being inactive against Utah, coach Jim Boylan simply called it a coach's decision. Duhon did not sit on the bench during the game because he didn't have a jacket to wear, according to a team official.

On the recent suspensions given to Duhon and Tyrus Thomas for missing practice or shootaround, Boylan said, "Just like anybody else, you have to show up to work every day. If you don't, then there's usually consequences.

"Be professional, play hard. That's all you've got to do. Show up on time, be where you're supposed to be and just give your maximum effort. That's all."

Thomas was back in good graces on Tuesday, collecting 10 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes. His first appearance following a two-game suspension lasted less than four minutes Sunday in Detroit.

Boylan still in contention: During an appearance on WSCR 670-AM on Tuesday morning, Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf didn't rule out bringing back interim head coach Jim Boylan next season.

"(The next coach) just has to be somebody that we feel will earn the respect of the players because the head coach has to have the respect of the players and that may very well be Jim Boylan," Reinsdorf said. "I don't want to rule Boylan out. But whoever the coach is he still has to be somebody who believes in our philosophy, which is basically a defensive game."

For his part, Boylan said before Tuesday's game that he's received strong support from Bulls management.

"Every day, I have conversations with (general manager) John (Paxson)," Boylan said. "He's totally supportive, backs everything that I want to get done. So I feel like I've got 100 percent support from John and everyone else in the front office."

Bull horns: Rookie guard JamesOn Curry sat on the Bulls' bench Tuesday for the first time since undergoing thumb surgery in January. … Ben Gordon passed Michael Jordan for third place on the Bulls' all-time list of 3-pointers made. Gordon now has 557 for his career, trailing Scottie Pippen and Kirk Hinrich.