Thunder notebook: OKC looks to start new streak

Oklahoma City’s 103-97 road loss to Milwaukee on Saturday night ended a season-long five-game winning streak, the most consecutive games the Thunder franchise has won since the 2004-05 season. But the mood of the locker room remained positive following the surprising setback against a Bucks team that entered the game having lost four straight games and 15 of their past 19.

The Thunder visits Chicago tonight, the first of four straight games OKC plays against teams with losing records. Oklahoma City won a 109-108 overtime decision in Chicago last season, and players sounded confident they would bounce back against the Bulls.

"That’s one good thing about this team is we’ve only been outworked maybe a couple of times this year,” said Oklahoma City’s Nick Collison.

SEFOLOSHA BATTLING FOOT INJURY

Thabo Sefolosha has been slowed over the past week with a case of plantar fasciitis of his right foot. The Thunder’s starting shooting guard has played at least 30 minutes in each of the past four games, but the injury flared up during Saturday’s game at Milwaukee. Sefolosha nursed his foot on the bench for a long stretch in the second-half.

"It’s just painful at the bottom of the foot,” Sefolosha said. "It’s not too bad. It’s just after a little while, running on it, you get cold on the bench and have to warm it up again. I’m going to be fine.”

WESTBROOK SORE AFTER TUMBLE

Russell Westbrook iced his ribs immediately following the Milwaukee game after landing hard on his right side after going up for an offensive rebound in the first half against the Bucks. Westbrook tried to brace his fall with his arm but landed hard on his shoulder and midsection area.

"We’ll see how it feels (Sunday) morning, but I’ll be fine,” Westbrook said after the game.

Despite his early crash, Westbrook remained in the game and finished with 17 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. It was the most recent strong performance for the second-year point guard, who enters tonight’s game at Chicago with 83 assists and just 18 turnovers over his past 10 games.

SCOUTING THE BULLS

Chicago has won four straight games and is currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls (14-17) are 11-6 inside the United Center and average nearly six more rebounds (47.6) at home than on the road.

Chicago is coming off a 101-93 home win over Orlando. The 2008 No. 1 overall pick, Derrick Rose, scored 30 points with seven assists and six rebounds.

"He’s a great player,” Westbrook said of Rose. "In my eyes, he’s probably one of the East All-Star point guards.”