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Bulls-Thunder Preview

Jan 26, 2010 - 11:17 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Chicago (21-22) at Oklahoma City (24-20), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Bulls have regained their winning touch during a seven-game road trip.

The Oklahoma City Thunder hope a return home can help them do the same.

The Bulls try to earn a season high-tying fourth straight win Wednesday night and cause the Thunder to match a season high with a third consecutive defeat.

Chicago (21-22) has won 11 of 16 following a 10-17 start, but dropped back-to-back games to sub-.500 teams - Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers - to open its longest road swing of the season.

The Bulls, though, rebounded for three straight victories over opponents that currently hold winning records - Phoenix, Houston and San Antonio. They'll face two more to end their trek - Oklahoma City (24-20) and New Orleans on Friday night.

Second-year guard Derrick Rose has led the way during the win streak with 26.3 points per game on 60.3 percent shooting. Despite dealing with flulike symptoms, he scored 27 and had six assists without a turnover in Monday night's 98-93 win over San Antonio.

"I'm not gonna lie: D-Rose is playing at a really high level," said center Joakim Noah, who had 11 points after sitting out Saturday's win in Houston with a foot injury.

Rose's hot streak has keyed Chicago averaging 105.7 points and shooting 52.5 percent during its three straight wins. Through the first 40 games, the Bulls averaged 94.5 points on 43.6 percent shooting.

They've also limited opponents to 40.1 percent from the field during the win streak.

"Hopefully it means we're growing a little bit," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I'm pleased with our defense."

With a win over the Thunder, Del Negro's club can reach .500 for the first time since being 6-6 on Nov. 22. The Bulls, who entered this trip with a 4-15 road record, haven't won four straight away from home since a six-game run from March 26-April 17, 2006.

The Thunder have not lost four in a row overall since last season. They are, however, at risk of dropping three straight for the third time.

Oklahoma City won the first two games of its recent road trip before losing the last two in Memphis and Cleveland. The Thunder, though, are going into a four-game homestand coming off three days' rest since a 100-99 loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday night.

Kevin Durant had 34 points and Russell Westbrook scored 23 after going five straight without reaching double figures, but Oklahoma City gave up 100 points for the first time in six games.

Durant has been one of the NBA's hottest players, averaging 32.8 points over the past nine games and 35.8 in his last four at home.

"I really don't focus on becoming one of the elite players in this league," Durant told the team's official Web site. "I just focus on helping my team and being one of the better players on my team to help us win."

He'll try to score at least 30 in a fourth straight contest and fifth in a row at the Ford Center, where Oklahoma City has won six of eight. Durant has never reached the 30-point plateau in five all-time meetings with the Bulls.

He had 25 points while Westbrook scored 29 in a 98-85 win at Chicago on Jan. 4. The Bulls, though, earned a 103-96 victory March 18 in their only game at the Ford Center as Rose scored 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting.