CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls lost on Monday night despite the fact that the scoreboard says they beat an awful Orlando Magic squad 105-101 in a half-full United Center. In the battle for NBA draft lottery-ball supremacy, the Bulls took a major step back from securing a top-five pick in a few months. Monday's pillow fight between two tanking teams offered a reminder of just how bad the Bulls are going to have to be down the stretch to lock down the type of high-tier selection their front office is yearning for.
Make no mistake: While the front office and no member of the Bulls organization won't so much as breathe the word "tank," the reality is that has been the plan all along this season.