Bulls get chance to practice their bowling
ATLANTA -- Coach Jim Boylan came up with a creative plan to try and lighten the mood among the Bulls.
During their off-day in Atlanta on Thursday, the players boarded the team bus before the scheduled practice time. But instead of practice, the bus drove to a nearby bowling alley.
At 11 o'clock in the morning, the Bulls essentially had the lanes to themselves. So they ordered some food, split up into teams and started bowling.
"Just getting out there and being with your teammates and still doing a little activity was good," center Aaron Gray said. "I think guys were kind of emotionally and mentally drained."
Asked to name the best bowlers among the Bulls, several players mentioned Gray and Tyrus Thomas.
"I just got on a little hot streak, bowled a 186 and took the lead," Gray said with a laugh. "I'm usually like a 140, 130, that kind of guy. I got motivation from (the other Bulls). There was a lot of talking and jeering going on. It was pretty crazy."
Guard Larry Hughes skipped the bowling but felt everyone had fun.
"It was cool," Hughes said. "I don't bowl anymore. After I shattered my knuckle, I don't bowl now. I used to like it. I can't risk it now."
Digging deep for Duhon: After the Bulls got off to a horrible start Friday against Atlanta, coach Jim Boylan turned to the team's forgotten man, Chris Duhon, in the second quarter. Duhon hadn't played meaningful minutes in three weeks, since the March 7 game in Boston.
After missing the team shootaround in Detroit on March 9, Duhon didn't play at all until logging the final three minutes of Wednesday's lopsided loss at Philadelphia. But Duhon wasn't playing much before that incident, either, a victim of a crowded backcourt after Larry Hughes arrived in the trade from Cleveland.
"Things happen in this league and then you have to move on," Boylan said. "I thought we needed some point-guard play. Kirk (Hinrich) was out there for a long time. I needed to sub and get him a break, so I looked down there and Du was ready to go."
Duhon finished with 7 points and 5 assists in 22 minutes. He played the entire fourth quarter.
"Yeah, it was fun to be out there playing again," Duhon said. "Obviously, you're surprised when you haven't been playing much. That's how it is in the league, you've always got to stay ready."
Bull horns: Guard Larry Hughes has gone 3-for-17 from the field in the last two games. … Considerable damage is still visible two weeks after an apparent tornado struck downtown Atlanta in the immediate vicinity of Philips Arena. Most of the taller buildings have dozens of windows missing.
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Bulls haven't played Milwaukee since Dec. 28, when Jim Boylan made a successful coaching debut by beating the Bucks 103-98. Ben Gordon came off the bench to score 31 points that night. Heading into Friday's game against Orlando, Milwaukee had lost 11 of its last 13.
Player to watch: Bucks shooting guard Michael Redd has averaged 30.5 points in two games against the Bulls.
Next: Boston Celtics at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday