Since Tom Thibodeau arrived in Chicago, double-digit losses happen to the Bulls about as often as Thibodeau sits down during games.

The notoriously active and detail-oriented coach can talk all he wants about focusing on the task at hand, but don’t think last month’s 21-point blowout at the hands of the Clippers didn’t serve as motivation for Tuesday night at the United Center.

Well, that and a legitimate measuring stick regular-season affair for a Bulls team that has talked about improvement since that Nov. 17 debacle.