Gooden still hurting

When Drew Gooden produced 31 points and 16 rebounds against Atlanta on March 25, the Bulls were eager to see if their recently acquired power forward could duplicate that performance.

They may have to wait a while. Gooden missed his fourth game Saturday with a lower abdominal strain and coach Jim Boylan isn't expecting an imminent return. It's look like Gooden won't play Tuesday at Miami.

"I would be surprised if he could," Boylan said. "At this point, he's not moving around real well. He doesn't seem to be making any significant strides. It's day-by-day, but I'm not too optimistic about it."

Less than two weeks remain in the season and the Bulls have little to play for, but Gooden hasn't given up on returning to the floor.

"I never give up on anything," he said. "Certain movements, I'm in pain. But I'm continuing to get my treatment and see where I'm at."

Condolences refused: Coaching this Bulls team may seem like a miserable experience from the outside, but Jim Boylan doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for him.

"People come up to me sometimes and they give me the old, 'Hang in there speech,' which means things aren't going so well," Boylan said before Saturday's game. "But to me, I've had a great time doing it. I've had fun with it. It's been a learning experience."

The chances of him staying with the Bulls may be slim, but Boylan hopes to benefit from the experience no matter what comes next.

"I've learned some things you can do. I've learned some things you can't do," he said. "I'll continue to get better as a coach, just as any coach in any sport does. So I'm just looking forward to continuing my career, hopefully as the head coach here in Chicago and if not, with some other franchise."

Playing time wanted: Coach Jim Boylan had this to say about Larry Hughes' continued calls for 30 to 35 minutes per game in order for him to be an effective player.

"I think that's a players' mantra that has been said for generations and will continue to be said," he said. "Everybody wants their playing time and I understand Larry. To be productive, to get your rhythm, you have to be out on the floor. Sometimes it's not easy to do when you're looking up and down your roster and you're trying to find combinations that are effective."

Bull horns: For the second straight night, Washington assistant Mike O'Koren handled media duties before and after the game because head coach Eddie Jordan is feeling ill. … Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas knocked down his first career 3-point basket with 2:36 remaining. ... Ben Gordon turned 25 on Friday.