Bulls hold 'productive' team meeting to address losing skid

The Chicago Bulls held a meeting between players and coaches Sunday in an effort to get on the same page and stem a losing skid that threatens to end their consecutive streak of playoff seasons at seven.

"We did get together and talk," coach Fred Hoiberg said afterward, according to CSN Chicago's Vincent Goodwill. "That was a big part of what today was about, getting in there and talking about some things and hopefully airing some things out."

The Bulls were manhandled by the lottery-bound Orlando Magic on Saturday, Chicago's third straight defeat and 10th in 16 games. Deep malaise appears to be affecting the team of late, leading many to question if the players have mentally checked out on the season.

"We had a three-game win streak and the last three have been very poor performances by our team to say the least," Hoiberg said. "I think it had to be done. And again, I thought it was productive."

Starting small forward Mike Dunleavy, who suggested after Saturday's loss that the Bulls may simply not be "good enough," expanded on that idea Sunday.

"I think we feel like we can play better and win more games," Dunleavy said. "I don't think we're a 60-win team or anything, but I think we should have some more wins right now, and probably be in a better position to get into the playoffs. But we are where we are, and we've got to make the most of it."

Going into Monday's action, the Bulls sit a full two games out of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.