Four games could define this season
Coach Jim Boylan thought the Bulls lacked enthusiasm in a 22-point loss to San Antonio on Thursday.
They had better find it fast, because "Judgment Week" is about to hit. In the next seven days, the Bulls play Indiana, Philadelphia and Atlanta twice.
They probably need to win at least three of the four games to keep legitimate hopes of earning the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. As of Friday morning, the Hawks and Nets were tied for eighth, with the Bulls and Pacers 2 games behind.
"It's an exciting next seven, eight days for us with all the games we have against the people that are in the pack with us," Boylan said Friday at the Berto Center. "Pretty much the heart of our season is right there staring at us in the face. I told our guys about that this morning."
For the most part, the Bulls have been competitive since their new lineup debuted Feb. 24. But Thursday's lackluster effort may have caused fans to wonder if the Bulls really want to make the playoffs.
"I think we do," guard Ben Gordon said. "Mentally, we just have to bring it. There's been a lot of stuff going on, so we just have to really key in and focus on the game of basketball and making the playoffs."
Added Boylan: "I think our guys absolutely want to do it. They want to try to make something great happen. No one's ever accomplished anything great without making a substantial effort. That's what we expect them to do and I'm sure (tonight) we'll see a different level of energy."
Three men out: Kirk Hinrich, Thabo Sefolosha and Drew Gooden all skipped Friday's practice. Hinrich seems likely to miss his second game with a sprained right ankle.
"The swelling's gone down a little bit, but it's been hard for him to really plant and push off it," coach Jim Boylan said. "There's some discoloration in the area."
Sefolosha rested the groin injury that's bothered him for several weeks, while Gooden had a stiff neck. Both should play tonight against Indiana.
Chris Duhon, meanwhile, returned to practice Friday. He's missed the last three games with an illness and hasn't played since March 7.
Boylan said he'd most likely stick with Ben Gordon and Larry Hughes as his starting guards, though nothing is set in stone.
Time for fun: Luol Deng took it upon himself to have fun at Friday's practice by engaging in a half-court shot contest with assistant coach Mike Brown. After Deng and Brown missed about 6 shots each, Chris Duhon came off the sideline and won the competition on his fourth attempt.
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: Indiana is still in the playoff hunt, having pulled even with the Bulls for 10th place in the East. The Pacers hosted Minnesota on Friday night with a chance to break the tie. The Bulls are 2-1 against Indiana this season, winning the last meeting on the road 113-107 on Feb. 27.
Player to watch: The Pacers signed former Pistons guard Flip Murray on March 1 and he scored 22 points in Wednesday's win over Charlotte while top scorer Danny Granger sat out with a wrist injury.
Next: Atlanta Hawks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
-- Mike McGraw