Chicago Bulls Notes, Quotes 2008-12-31 News Chicago Bulls

--Monday's win at New Jersey was significant for the Bulls because it snapped a 13-game losing streak at the building currently known as the Izod Center. The Bulls hadn't won in New Jersey since April 17, 2001, when A.J. Guyton scored 24 points to lead the way. The Bulls won just 15 games that season, but somehow managed to finish with road wins against the Nets and 76ers. "I didn't know the number of games and the years, but I knew it had been a long time," guard Ben Gordon said after Monday's win. "It was crazy, man, crazy, that it had been that long. We've been struggling on the road all season and we really needed to get a win."

--Guard Larry Hughes wasn't happy about not starting on Saturday in Atlanta. With forward Luol Deng sidelined by an ankle injury, coach Vinny Del Negro used Thabo Sefolosha as a starter, saying he liked the scoring punch Hughes and Andres Nocioni can bring off the bench. Hughes played 21 minutes in the loss to the Hawks and scored 11 points. He posted 17 points in Monday's win at New Jersey. "I'm not a spot-minute guy," he said. "I don't play well in that situation. If you want me to produce, I have to be out there. I can make a difference at both ends if I play."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "That (lack of size) is going to give us challenges, but we just have to fight through it. We don't have any excuses. This is the NBA. You've got to play with the hand you've been dealt." -- Guard Derrick Rose, on the Bulls' poor defensive play.