<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">According to conventional wisdom, the Bulls would be better served to sit out the postseason and take a lottery draft pick in return. Because with the Detroit Pistons or the Miami Heat certain to be their opponent in Round 1, the Bulls are sure to be toast either way. Except that head coach Scott Skiles isn't much into conventional wisdom these days. "I wouldn't put much stock in that," Skiles said of the theory after practice at the Berto Center on Monday. "I mean, we want to be in the playoffs. I would never concede that we would be one (playoff series) and done, anyway. I don't think anybody would. Those teams are great teams, but anything can happen in a series, you know? "As soon as you start to think about manipulating lotteries and drafts and things like that, that's a losing mind-set that will ultimately hurt (the franchise)." To what extent the players have their minds set on a second consecutive postseason appearance will be known the next two days. After the Portland Trail Blazers visit the United Center tonight, the Bulls will travel to Milwaukee for a showdown against the Bucks on Wednesday evening. The Bucks, who defeated Atlanta 88-87 on Monday, have a three-game lead over the Bulls in the race for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. "This week is really big for us," guard Ben Gordon said. "We can get some things done here." It will have to be done with reserve guard Chris Duhon at less than full strength and forward Darius Songaila likely sidelined for the remainder of the season. Duhon sat out practice because of lower back pain, although he expected to be available tonight. "I've played through (the injury) the last month, but it hasn't gotten better," said Duhon, who literally dragged himself to the finish line because of a disc problem last spring. "I have to get more flexibility in my hamstrings and thighs. It's something that can be fixed in the offseason, but with us in a fight for the playoffs, rest is not an option right now."</div> Source
