Bulls coming together off the court

SALT LAKE CITY - Seven days into the circus road trip, some Bulls reported progress being made toward building better team unity. Coach Vinny Del Negro organized a team dinner in Denver on Saturday evening, which every player attended.

"It was good," veteran guard Lindsey Hunter said. "We did that type of thing in Detroit all the time. As players, we had a unique situation. It was like family. There weren't any cliques, there was just us. You could see six of seven different guys together at any given time. It was really unique.

"It's hard to create those environments, but when you do it really pays off - big time. I got a chance to talk to (New England Patriots) Teddy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison and they were the same way. It's a common factor with teams that go to the next level. I think a lot of times it's overlooked."

Before departing on his first extended NBA road trip, rookie Derrick Rose suggested he'd follow the veterans' lead when it came to free-time activities. Before Monday's game in Utah, Rose said he's enjoyed the time away from home.

"We're going into each other's rooms, talking to each other a lot more," Rose said. "We played games, watched videos. We're coming together.

"(I feel) way closer (to my teammates). I could talk to them about anything. Lindsey (Hunter has) talked to me about a lot of stuff. I've talked to the coaching staff about everything. Everybody's getting closer."

Deng back in action: Luol Deng returned from a left hamstring strain on Monday after missing the previous three games. He didn't start and looked rusty when he got on the floor, going 1-for-5 from the field with 1 rebound and 3 turnovers in 15 minutes.

"I felt like I had no rhythm," he said. "I couldn't really get it going. I was really in a funk. But I'm glad we got the win.

"Hamstring-wise, I'm glad I went out there. I didn't feel anything. I was running fine. Hopefully it's behind me. I just have to get some shots up, get my touch back."

Taking time wisely: When the Bulls took their final timeout with 51.8 seconds left, it appeared coach Vinny Del Negro tried to wave it off. Following the game, he indicated he went ahead with the timeout to change the team's inbounds location.

"I didn't want to, but then I realized where we were going to have to inbounds the ball," Del Negro said. "I was a little nervous about our inbounds play down there. I didn't want to turn the ball over. I was trying to figure out if it was on the side or if it was underneath. When it was underneath, I thought I should definitely take it."