--G Thabo Sefolosha returned to the starting lineup on Saturday against Atlanta, replacing the injured Luol Deng. Sefolosha began the season as the starter at shooting guard, but he averaged only around 4.0 points per game and lost the job after six games. When G Larry Hughes came back from a separated shoulder, Sefolosha barely played over a 10-game stretch early in December.
"We'll try to use his length against some of these athletic twos and threes we're facing," Del Negro said. "He has a good feel for the game. He's just got to keep on working." --Vinny Del Negro couldn't hold his tongue all season long. He collected the first technical foul of his coaching career against Miami on Friday while arguing a charging foul on Derrick Rose. Oddly enough, the technical stood, even though officials changed the call to a block on Udonis Haslem. Dwyane Wade missed the ensuing free throw.
--Derrick Rose moved from ninth to seventh among Eastern Conference guards in the latest All-Star voting returns. Washington's Gilbert Arenas, who hasn't played at all this season, is sixth. Miami's Dwyane Wade and Detroit's Allen Iverson are well in front for the starting spots.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's personal, you know. Everybody needs to step up. It's the only way. Because if we don't play 'D,' I think we're going to be out of the playoffs for sure. Everybody needs to take (on) the challenge, try to play better." -- F Andres Nocioni, on the Bulls' persistent lack of defense this season.
