So even if the Bulls can make it two straight wins on their seven-game road trip, it might be tough to tell if they are actually on the right track.

In theory, they're not that far from turning things around. Four of the five losses during the streak came by five points or less and even though they lost by 20 to Toronto last Friday, that was a one-point game midway through the fourth quarter.

On Sunday in Minnesota, the Bulls actually put together an impressive effort before losing 109-108 in overtime. The Timberwolves have been one of the league's hottest teams, going 9-3 in January, and the Bulls jumped to an early 20-4 lead, then were up by seven with less than four minutes remaining before fading.

The Bulls will probably be without forward Drew Gooden for at least another week because of a groin strain. He is the team's only experienced big man, so his absence hurts.

But when the Bulls share the ball, things seem to work out for the best. They piled up 31 assists against the Clippers and shot 47.4 percent as a team.

The Bulls beat Sacramento 99-94 at the United Center on Jan. 6, but have lost nine straight at Arco Arena dating back to Nov. 23, 1997.

BULLS 95, CLIPPERS 75: After a sloppy first half, the Bulls finally pulled away from the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers with a big third quarter and went on to win 95-75 on Wednesday at the Staples Center. The victory snapped the Bulls' five-game losing streak and was their most lopsided win of the season. Forward Luol Deng led the Bulls (19-27) with 23 points, while guard Derrick Rose added 21. The Clippers have been beset by injuries, though both guard Baron Davis and center Marcus Camby returned to action against the Bulls. Davis missed nine of 10 shots and scored three points in 22 minutes of action.