Clippers, Kings may be just what the Bulls need
A six-game trek through the Western Conference isn't an ideal spot for the Bulls to make a sudden turnaround.
But the next two games certainly offer strong opportunities to snap a five-game losing streak.
First up are the Los Angeles Clippers, who have lost 16 of their last 18 games and expect to be missing all of their primary big men - Zach Randolph (knee), Marcus Camby (ankle) and Chris Kaman (arch). Guard Baron Davis, out since Dec. 31 with a bruised tailbone, may try to return tonight.
The second stop is Sacramento on Friday, and the Kings (10-35) have been just as bad. They've gone 3-17 since Dec. 16 and have to finish an Eastern swing at Cleveland and Boston on back-to-back nights before returning home to face the Bulls.
"We won three out of seven games last time (on the November trip)," Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "This time, we should try and aim a little higher. Try to come back winning four of the six games or whatever it is. We're at a critical time of the season and we need to make a run as soon as we can."
One result of the Clippers injuries is increased playing time for 7-foot center DeAndre Jordan. Once thought to be an intriguing prospect, Jordan fell to the second round of last year's draft after playing one season at Texas A&M.
Jordan had a memorable game against the Lakers last week in more ways than one. He finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, hitting 11 of 12 shots in the Clippers' 9-point loss. But Lakers' counterpart Andrew Bynum scored a career-high 42 points to go with 15 rebounds.
That was either an impressive coming-out party for two young big men or an ambitious "let's play no defense" agreement between friends.
Gooden stops in AZ: Drew Gooden visited a specialist in Phoenix to examine the abdominal and groin strains that have kept him out of four games recently. He'll meet the team in Los Angeles but isn't likely to play this week. Tuesday in Houston might be a possibility, but no one knows for sure.
"I'm hoping a week, but I have no idea," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I'll know more when we see him out in L.A. and we sit down and talk a little bit."
Rose doesn't know mates: When the Bulls headed West last November, rookie Derrick Rose mentioned the benefit of spending more time with his teammates during an extended road trip.
On Tuesday, he once again listed familiarity among comrades as one of the biggest challenges for an NBA novice.
"You're not around your teammates all day like in college; you've got classes with your teammates," Rose said. "Now people have got their families to go to, have business meetings and all that stuff. It's kind of hard, really, to get to know your teammates."