Chicago Bulls Team Report - November 22

(Basketball News) - The Chicago Bulls try again for their first win of the season this evening when they continue their season-long seven game road trip against the Phoenix Suns at America West Arena.

The Bulls failed to pick up their first win on Sunday, as they dropped a 102-93 decision to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Kirk Hinrich made 9-of-15 shots, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, to lead the Bulls with 24 points. Rookies Luol Deng and Ben Gordon netted 21 and 15 points, respectively, for Chicago, which fell to 0-8 on the year and is off to its worst start since starting the 1967-68 campaign with nine straight losses.

After a Hinrich trey with 5:30 remaining tied the contest at 84-84, the Lakers scored the next eight points to pull away. Los Angeles reclaimed the lead when Chris Mihm sunk a hook shot on the following possession, and Lamar Odom was fouled after making a layup with 4:09 to go for a four-point edge. He made the ensuing foul shot to put the Lakers up 89-84 before Caron Butler capped the run with a three- pointer which virtually sealed the win.

The Bulls have now lost 36 straight games on their annual November trip through the West. They haven’t won out West since Michael Jordan’s final season in Chicago, when they beat Sacramento on November 23, 1997.

Chicago, which will close its trek with stops in Utah and Cleveland, is 0-5 away from home this season.

The Suns defeated the Bulls earlier in the year and could hold the advantage tonight, as the home team in this series has won seven of the last eight meetings. Chicago has also dropped seven in a row and 10 of its last 11 in Phoenix.