SALT LAKE CITY — The final stretch of the Chicago Bulls' season is focused on learning lessons — how to beat top teams, how to manage constant injuries, how to mature a group of inexperienced players into the highest caliber of competition.
In February, coach Billy Donovan welcomed the challenge of a schedule packed with top contenders from both conferences. But the Bulls are now 4-7 since the All-Star break, nursing injuries and inconsistencies as they struggle to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference standings.
After losing 125-110 to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night to fall a half-game behind the fourth-place Boston Celtics in the East, the Bulls have reached a make-or-break crux of the season — overcome the challenge or collapse under the weight of it.
