Frustrated Bulls host surging Spurs

(SportsNetwork.com) - Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is frustrated.

Rose recently called out his team and will see if his words resonated with the Bulls, who are slated to host the defending champion San Antonio Spurs Thursday at the United Center.

"Everybody has to be on the same page," Rose said. "Until then, we're going to continue to get our (expletive) kicked."

The Bulls have lost two in a row, four of five and six of the last eight games, including Monday's 108-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James scored 26 points and Jimmy Butler countered with 20 points for Chicago, which shot a dismal 37.5 percent and was outrebounded 54-40.

Rose was asked about not being on the same page.

"It's just the whole team," said Rose, who had 18 points.

Aaron Brooks posted 16 points off the bench and both Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol recorded double-doubles. Gasol had 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Gibson finished with 10 points and 10 boards.

"We got to get better ... The way we're playing is not acceptable," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said.

The Bulls will try to stop a three-game home losing streak and are 12-10 in the Windy City this season. After hosting the Spurs, Chicago will play seven of the next eight games on the road.

In injury news for the Bulls, Mike Dunleavy (ankle) and Joakim Noah (ankle) are still dealing with their issues and could sit again Friday. Noah hasn't played since Jan. 14 and is averaging 7.6 points and 9.4 rebounds. Dunleavy hasn't played since New Year's Day and is posting 9.6 ppg.

Noah and Dunleavy both practiced Wednesday and are day-to-day. Dunleavy is listed as questionable and Noah is doubtful.

San Antonio enters Thursday night's game riding a four-game winning streak and improved to 8-2 in the last 10 games with Tuesday's 109-99 road triumph against the Denver Nuggets.

Tony Parker led the way with 18 points, Kawhi Leonard added 17 and 15 rebounds, and Tim Duncan posted 16 points for the Spurs, who shot 45.2 percent for the game and reached 100 points for the second time in the last five games. Aron Baynes finished with 15 points and Manu Ginobili added 11 and eight assists.

The Spurs missed 11 of their first 12 shots.

"We knew they were going to play with a lot of energy," Parker said. "We knew it was going to be a tough game."

San Antonio has a 12-10 road record and will begin a six-game homestand Friday versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs and Bulls will play the first of two meetings this season and are pegged to clash March 8 in the Alamo City. They split a pair of contests last season.

San Antonio is 3-1 in the last four encounters with Chicago and has won its last two visits to the United Center.