Skiles says Bulls need more speed up the floor
During Monday's film session, Bulls coach Scott Skiles included some archival footage and compared it to the most recent loss in Toronto.
The point was that the sputtering Bulls have taken their foot off the gas and aren't rushing up the floor the way they used to.
"We looked at a game last year when we were doing it very well, trying to contrast our speed up the floor and trying to get our big guy running up the middle of the floor," Skiles said. "The main thing is we've got to get some momentum up the floor."
One area where the Bulls have not been successful is points off turnovers. That means they're not turning opponents' mistakes into fastbreak opportunities, where open shots are easier to find.
"Those early baskets, that takes all the pressure off the half-court offense," Skiles said. "So far we've just had difficulty getting up the floor with speed or momentum."
Deng sees signs: Luol Deng skipped the contact portion of practice as a precaution. He missed three games with a sore back before returning to produce 21 points and 9 rebounds in Sunday's loss at Toronto.
Even though the Bulls crumbled in the fourth quarter, Deng believes he saw signs of improvement.
"I really thought yesterday's game in Toronto, we played a lot better," he said. "It was just one of those games where if we had been winning I think the confidence would have been there to take the game in the fourth quarter. But overall we were a different team the way everybody came into the game."
No changes planned: Asked if he planned any more lineup changes, Scott Skiles strongly suggested there would be none for tonight's return home against Atlanta.
"When I've changed the lineup in the past, it's generally for three reasons: We haven't been playing well as a team. Maybe somebody in the starting lineup is a little off his game. But the third reason is somebody off my bench has played well and given me a reason to do it," he said.
"That hasn't been the case. I don't feel the need to have some revolving door in the starting lineup. If guys off the bench really started playing well and I felt like it would give us a boost, I wouldn't be afraid of it. But I don't see the purpose of doing it right now."
Series one-sided: Atlanta, tonight's opponent at the United Center, has dropped 11 straight to the Bulls over three seasons. That means the Class of 2004 -- Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni and Chris Duhon -- has never lost to the Hawks.
"They're a team, if they come out and it's easy for them early on in a game, they're very, very good," Scott Skiles said. "So we need to establish something, and this is a great opportunity."
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Bulls have won 11 straight in the series, dating to April 9, 2004. The Hawks (5-7) hit town with a two-game road winning streak after beating Miami and Minnesota. Rookie guard Acie Law has missed the past five games with a sprained ankle.
Players to watch: Joe Johnson (22.8 ppg) and Josh Smith (18.0 ppg) are the top scorers, but third-year forward Marvin Williams may have taken the biggest step. He's averaging 15.9 points and shooting 51 percent.
Next: Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center, Saturday 7:30 p.m.
-- Mike McGraw