Home streak bodes well for stretch run

The Bulls haven't pieced together any more than a two-game winning streak this season.

But Tuesday's victory over Utah did give them 3 straight home wins for the first time.

That's a good sign for the Bulls, since they play five of their next six games and 11 of the final 18 at the United Center. They also just beat two teams with winning records, Utah and Cleveland, a rarity this season.

"It's very significant for us to have some quality wins against some good teams, to try to get a little momentum playing at home," coach Jim Boylan said Wednesday at the Berto Center. "Our fans have been frustrated and they express themselves.

"When you're at home and the crowd is unhappy, it's not a comfortable feeling. We want to play well for our fans. We want to give them something to cheer about. They've been great."

Last week when the Bulls beat Cleveland, Boylan talked about his team finally playing the type of defense required to win games. It disappeared while the Bulls allowed 116 points in losses at Boston and Detroit, then returned against the Jazz.

"I thought one of the keys to the game for us was our interior defense," Boylan said. "We finally got a good defensive shell working out there. Every time (Utah guard Deron) Williams was in the paint, he had two or three guys around him. There was a lot of traffic in the middle.

"To be a good defensive team, that's what you need to do. You need to collapse on the ball right there and still be able to get out on the shooters."

Attendance report: Thabo Sefolosha sat out Wednesday's practice, the day after returning from six games off with a groin injury. The 6-foot-7 guard played well against Utah, scoring 11 points in 14 minutes.

"He's a little sore," Jim Boylan said. "Luckily, we have another day off, so we can see how he feels (today). It'll be day by day. A little soreness is a concern."

Joakim Noah also was missing Wednesday, but Boylan said it was an excused absence that the team knew about weeks ago. Noah is expected back today.

Bull horns: This short break in the schedule marks the first time the Bulls have practiced on consecutive days since Jan. 9-10. It's also their first two-day break since adding four new players from Cleveland on Feb. 21. … In the color correction department, the Bulls will wear their green St. Patrick's Day uniforms Tuesday against New Jersey, not Friday against Philadelphia.