PLAYER OF THE GAME: Ron Artest led the Bulls with 16 points, five assists and five rebounds. With his team down by 13 points after the third quarter, he was key in helping the Bulls win. Now Chicago is just 10-35.

RESERVE OF THE GAME: Former Indiana star A.J. Guyton was the other key in helping the Bulls collect a rare victory. He had 15 points and six assists off the bench.

DIGITS: The Bulls are 2-21 on the road this season.


The boot on Calvin Booth's injured ankle was removed Friday, but the Sonics center isn't any closer to rejoining the lineup. In fact, Booth has only improved from wearing a full boot brace to a cast-like shoe.

Booth, the franchise's biggest summer acquisition (six years, $34 million), won't be evaluated until after the All-Star break, which is a week away.

"I won't really look at anything until after the break," Coach Nate McMillan said.

Booth has missed 21 games this season because of the sprained right ankle and 29 games in all because of injuries. In his place, Art Long has jumped into the starter's role and is averaging career bests in points (4.8), rebounds (4.5) and minutes (16).

McMillan says it won't take Booth long to regain his form once he's cleared to play.

"A lot of things you have to tell guys to do. He just does it," said McMillan, who believes Booth can still make an impact this season. "He's basically a skillful big man."

Notes

? Jamal Crawford, the former Rainer Beach High star, was back in Seattle, this time on Chicago's injured list. He shot baskets before the game and hopes for an early return from surgery to mend a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

? Five scouts were watching last night's game between the middle-of-the-pack Sonics and the 9-35 Bulls.