Almost overnight, the Chicago Bulls went from a dynasty to a dud.

But don't expect any sympathy from the sinking Heat, which hopes to end a nine-game losing streak against the hapless Bulls, who have dropped 10 in a row and are 1-12 for the third straight season.

"We're right down there with them," said Heat point guard Rod Strickland, who attended DePaul University prior to the Bulls' first (1990-91) of six titles over an eight-year span. "We've got to pick ourselves up. It's about wins, no matter who it is."

Never before has the Heat played the Bulls and Michael Jordan on back-to-back nights but in different cities. And never before has a Heat-Bulls clash been met with such national indifference or with the outcome determining the league's worst team.

Both teams rank near the bottom of every significant team statistic, including points scored, free-throw percentage and rebounding.