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Bulls and Jazz meet in the Second City

Mar 10, 2012 - 3:41 PM (Sports Network) - Eastern Conference-leading Chicago will seek to bounce back from its first loss in nearly three weeks when they host the Utah Jazz at United Center.

The Bulls fell for the first time in nine games on Thursday, falling to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic 99-94.

Carlos Boozer led the way for Chicago with 26 points and Derrick Rose scored 17 while handing out nine assists. Taj Gibson netted 14 for the Bulls, who lost for just the third time on their home floor (15-3) in the opener of a six-game homestand.

"I think everyone is tired at this time of the year," said Bulls forward Joakim Noah about the team playing its fourth game in five nights. "There's really no excuses. We had our chances so that's what is disappointing."

On the injury front for the Bulls, All-Star Luol Deng is dealing with a nagging wrist injury and struggling to shoot the ball so the team is contemplating shutting him down for the next few games.

"We're going to talk about it, talk with the medical staff and Thibs [coach Tom Thibodeau]," Deng told the Bulls' website. "The past few games (the pain) escalated a little bit. I've been managing it the last few games. It's mostly going to be rest. It's getting better."

Guards Rip Hamilton (shoulder) and C.J. Watson (ankle) also remain sidelined.

Chicago will also square off with New York, Miami, Portland and Philadelphia on its residency.

The Jazz, who will finish a five-game road trip tonight, fell to 2-2 on their trek in Philadelphia on Friday, losing to the 76ers 104-91.

Paul Millsap had 15 points and nine rebounds while Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors donated 14 points each for Utah, which had won four of five coming in.

"They are just physical," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said of the Sixers. "They had their hands on us. They took us out of rhythm a little bit. They made the guys on the wing catch the ball one or two steps out."

Chicago swept a home-and-home series with the Jazz in 2010-11 after Utah did the same a year earlier.