( 41 - 41 )

( 27 - 55 )

Skiles

"I felt like we did what we had to do. We came out and we had a lot of energy. We got after them pretty good defensively other than fouling. That got to us a little bit in the first half. We built a big lead and they came back in large part because they were able to get to the line and make free throws. We came out in the third and pushed it up again. Overall it was a well played game."

On the accomplishment of .500 and playing Miami:
"I will talk about Miami tomorrow. We prepared for them anyway as we had for other teams."

On going into the playoffs with a head of steam:
"You would much rather go in playing well and have a little momentum. For our guys the season was on the ropes for a while and them they turned it around. They did it in impressive fashion. They deserve a lot of credit for pulling it out and getting wins when we had to get them. We made a lot of big plays and everyone shared in it."

On being on the ropes and getting the team ready for playoffs:
"It could help. The playoffs are really different. Every possession is really intense. We have had close games all year long. We have been involved in a lot of late game situations. We've had to react to almost every situation you can think of. In theory that is helpful. Whenever you are a lower seed you play a high seed. They won over 50 games and had a great season. I am really proud of my guys just to get to the .500 mark and get in."

Are you disappointed with the effort of Detroit and Orlando against Washington and Indiana?
"Not really. Detroit has their own agenda which is to rest their guys and Washington had motivation so that is understandable. That is why you play all 82."

Are you proud of the team's effort?
"I am very proud. A lot of times you realize the team is getting better but you don't have the wins to show for it. In some games where we blew the game and look at the tape and the guys are disappointed, but as a staff we can see that they are getting better. At any time our guys had many moments where they could bail out of this thing and fade away but they fought back and got back into it."

How difficult was it to convince your guys they could do it?
"We have a pretty level headed group especially for young players. To be down 10 games and 3 1/2 back, we had to go 12-2 just to get back to .500. Anytime you have a 12-2 streak during the season you are doing something right. We play terrific defense for young players. It is a credit to the time they put in. We have to remember our bread and butter is our defense."

On playing Saturday and getting right into it:
"I have seen that break either way. As a coach you would like an extra day to prepare but that may not be the best thing. We have a nice rhythm going right now. With the way we have been playing and with days off, we'll get the tape, get the game plan in and get after it.

Duhon

Are you able to enjoy this?
"Yes, we can enjoy this. To think where we were (29-39) to finish at .500 is really an accomplishment."

On the status of his back:
"It's a day to day thing, but pen me in for every game. This is the playoffs and this is what you play for. To play in front of a large crowd against Shaq and Wade, you can't be anything but excited."

Chandler

On the experience gained in last season's playoffs:
"I learned a lot as the series went along. I struggled for the first few games. But, I started to get my rhythm as the series continued. Last year we were optimistic we were going to win the series. This year we are going in as the underdog and we plan to play freely."

Gordon

On the second consecutive year in the playoffs:
"It means a lot, especially to make the playoffs as a rookie and then in my second year. We felt pressure to get back, but more importantly it was something we wanted to do. There was more external pressure than internal pressure to get back to the playoffs."

Deng

On the teams' mindset entering the playoffs:
"Whoever we were going to play, we were going to be the underdog. Our approach does not change at all. It will be a tough match-up for us, but we've got to play our game and play hard like we always do."

Mitchell

“They shot the ball well. We had some guys do good things also. However, they killed us on the boards and you can't win shooting like 38 percent. Our guys just need to learn, see their weaknesses, and work over the summer on them. It was good for them this season to be able to play. This whole thing is a part of being in the NBA.”

On the tough season:
“You hate to lose games. However, this year guys got a chance to play. Hopefully they now understand what it takes to get better. We knew this was going to be a trying year, one of learning and growing.”

Villanueva

On the end of the season:
“I don't want the season over too soon. However, I know now what to expect next year. I'm going to come back ready. I'm not a rookie anymore. We got off to a one and fifteen tough start. Then we struggled but dug out of that hole and I learned a lot from that experience. I now know what it takes to play in the NBA. I still have a lot of room to grow but you haven't seen anything yet. I know now that the coach wants me to play the three position. Our team is going in the right direction. We have a great group of young guys.”

About the Bulls' play:
“It's amazing what they did this season. At one point it looked as if they were not going to make the playoffs. It was really fascinating how they put it together this season. It is something that we can see and learn from.”