A season of frustration continued as the Bulls had to play three games without top scorers Ben Gordon (sprained right wrist) and Luol Deng (left Achilles' tendinitis).

They managed to win the first game against Indiana as guard Kirk Hinrich scored a career-high 38 points. But the Bulls scored just 77 points in each of their next two outings against Charlotte and Phoenix.

The Bulls don't have a deep well of scoring talent to begin with. Hinrich came through with 31 points in the loss to the Suns, but forward Andres Nocioni struggled and forward Joe Smith has been in a slump. Smith had fluid drained from his right knee last Friday after the loss to Charlotte.

"I'm not quite sure exactly what I can do," coach Jim Boylan said of the Bulls' lack of scoring punch. "But we're going to go back to the drawing board and see if we can dream up something, see if we can get something done."

The Bulls next play two games against Minnesota on consecutive days, beginning Tuesday at the United Center. The Timberwolves possess the NBA's worst record at 8-35, but have won three of their last four.

SUNS 88, BULLS 77: The Bulls turned in an impressive defensive performance, but it wasn't enough to avoid a Sunday afternoon loss at the United Center.

It was the Suns' second-lowest offensive output this season. Their season-low of 86 points came Jan. 10 at Utah with Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and Grant Hill sidelined. On Sunday, Phoenix was at full strength except for Hill.

The Bulls missed 13 of their first 14 shots, but managed to take a brief lead in the third quarter. They were within 70-66 with 9:40 remaining in the contest, then went scoreless for four minutes while the Suns pulled away with a 12-0 run.

Kirk Hinrich was the Bulls' only offensive star, hitting 12-of-23 for 31 points. Andres Nocioni went 3-for-13 from the field for seven points, while Joe Smith was 2-for-12 for four points. Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 24 points.

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