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Bulls search for rare road win against slumping SuperSonics

Feb 2, 2007 - 3:09 PM Chicago (26-20) at Seattle (17-29) 10:30 pm EST

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls are back on the West Coast, and things haven't changed at all.

The Bulls aim to improve their horrific road record Friday when they visit Ray Allen and the Seattle SuperSonics.

Despite holding down the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings, Chicago has struggled away from the United Center this season. The Bulls are just 6-14 on the road, including a dismal 1-7 mark vs. Western Conference foes.

Chicago dropped five straight games to Western Conference opponents during its seven-game road trip earlier this season.

The Bulls had their three-game winning streak snapped with Wednesday's 110-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Kirk Hinrich collected 25 points, 10 assists and three steals to pace Chicago.

With All-Star reserves named on Thursday, Allen found his name left off the list for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.

Allen's 36-point outburst was not enough to keep Seattle from suffering its franchise-tying 14th consecutive road setback, a 112-102 decision at Houston on Wednesday.

Chicago posted a 99-84 home victory in the first meeting between the clubs this season and could capture its first sweep of the season series with Seattle since 1996-97.