(My Sportsbook) - It may be hard to believe, but the young Chicago Bulls are actually talking playoffs.

After a 94-83 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night, the young Bulls are feeling pretty good about themselves. Even at 8-16, there is some reason for optimism. Four players finished in double figures and three reached double digits in rebounds for the Bulls, who won for the fourth time in five games.

"Winning is just like losing, it's contagious," said Jalen Rose, who paced the Bulls with 24 points. "I think guys are getting excited about getting a few wins. Now we've got to find a way to ride this momentum."

If the season ended today, the Bulls would be two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"The eighth spot is not saying a lot, but it's saying a lot for a team that hasn't been in the playoffs for four years," said Marcus Fizer. Fizer scored 20 points and grabbed 17 rebounds off the bench in the win over Boston.

Coach Bill Cartwright is happy with his reserves, but feels his lineup is getting off to slow starts.

"Our bench has been fine," Cartwright said. "I'm more worried with how we're starting. When we start games, we come out of the blocks and lead that first quarter, we win those games."

Postseason teams usually play sound defense. Against Boston, the Bulls shot 35.9 percent, missed 16 free throws and committed 21 turnovers -- yet they still won.

"That means you are guarding somebody,'' Cartwright said. "In the first half, the Celtics had zero transition points. It is what you have to do. If you don't score or you are not shooting well, you have to guard, and we did a good job of that."