Bulls 0-4 on road since making trades

The only way to explain the Bulls' 96-80 loss in Charlotte was just another miserable effort on the road. They've dropped four straight road games to the Bobcats, Wizards, Nets and Pacers – all teams with losing records, with only New Jersey less than 10 games below .500 when it faced the Bulls.

This is odd, not only because the last three home games resulted in victories over Houston, Orlando and Denver – teams that were a combined 62 games above .500 through Tuesday. But before hitting their recent road funk, the Bulls were playing very well away from home.

Remember, they finished the ice show road trip 4-2, then won in Milwaukee after the all-star break. So why the sudden change in fortunes?

Well, the trade deadline happened to strike the day after the Bulls beat the Bucks. That means the Bulls have yet to win a road game since John Salmons, Brad Miller and Tim Thomas joined the rotation. Thomas and Luol Deng both sat out against the Bobcats with leg injuries.

It's possible that the unfamiliarity of the new players is accentuated on the road. Asked about that issue following Tuesday's loss, coach Vinny Del Negro dismissed it outright.

“I don't think it is,” he said. “I wish that was the case, but I don't think so. They're all good players, they're veteran guys, they can help the team, they fit in well. If guys were smart and professional, they'd understand that the guys we brought in can help us win and that's what it's about, winning.

“It might alter somebody's minutes or somebody's shots, but that's not being a pro. It's about winning at this level and going and doing your job every night. Tonight I didn't like our demeanor, I didn't like our effort, I didn't like our turnovers. Just a very, very sloppy game for us.”

Maybe the lone bright spot for the Bulls right now is they have 13 home games remaining, with just 8 on the road. But the next two home games – Golden State tonight and Milwaukee on Friday – are becoming must-wins if the Bulls want to make the playoffs.