"Yeah," Hughes said. "We lost."

Unlike his game-winner at Utah, the rim shot was optional.

More seriously, the losses at Denver and San Antonio -- outcomes that have prevented a decent 2-4 trip that will conclude Sunday in Philadelphia from becoming special -- displayed a dynamic that became an unfortunate recurring theme from last season. At crunch time, the Bulls get crunched.

A 99-96 lead with 5 minutes 17 seconds to play in Denver morphed into the Nuggets' game-ending 18-2 run. At San Antonio, where the collapse actually began late in the third quarter, the Bulls trailed 76-71 entering the fourth until Luol Deng scored their only two points over the first seven minutes.

That's two opportunities squandered, two losses and two points of emphasis for coach Vinny Del Negro.

"We have to execute at the defensive end better," he said after Friday's brief workout at the Berto Center. "We're giving up too many easy baskets so we have to control the paint better. Then offensively, we come down in both games and don't get into our sets clean and that leads to one, maybe two passes and a shot instead of working the clock and probing a bit.

"I think that comes with being in those situations and figuring them out and being able to adapt, whether they're trapping the pick-and-roll or forcing it down. We have to recognize those things. We've gotten better at it on this trip. But we have room to improve."

As a 10-year veteran, Hughes has been in the league long enough to know a majority of NBA games hinge on a critical five- to seven-minute stretch late. This is where the Bulls need to improve.

"We have to be smart," Hughes said. "It's about learning how to win. Sometimes we have four- or five-minute stretches where we turn it over or don't execute or allow too many easy baskets. You can't have that."

The Bulls are 3-4 in games decided by 10 points or less and 2-7 in games where they trailed entering the fourth quarter. The ever-upbeat Del Negro, however, predicts improvement in late-game situations.

"I think we will because we have the right personnel and demeanor, and also an understanding of those situations," he said. "Now it comes down to execution."

In other words, more game-winning shots than one-liners from Hughes.

Layups: In a nod to having Thursday off and the upcoming three-games-in-four-nights stretch, Del Negro conducted a brief film session, followed by players working individually. Aaron Gray, Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas and Cedric Simmons waged a three-on-three game. ... Del Negro said Deng showed no effects from playing two games on his sore left hamstring.

kcjohnson@tribune