Breaking Down the Final 13 Games of the Season for the Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls cling to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with just 13 games left in the regular season. Before Wednesday starts a home-and-home set with the New York Knicks, here’s a look at the remainder of the Bulls schedule and how likely the playoffs actually are.
No, it doesn’t appear that the Chicago Bulls are going to let this season pass them by and enter the lottery for the rights to LSU star Ben Simmons or Duke’s Durantulan-like do-it-all Brandon Ingram.
The Bulls are going for it, and “it” being the postseason.
After a tight 109-102 victory over the chaotic Sacramento Kings on Monday night in Chicago, the Bulls remain tied with the Detroit Pistons (13.5 games back of the East’s top spot), but hold the final playoff spot in the East by percentage points with just 13 games left.
In those final 13 games, the Bulls play five playoff teams at the current moment, including one more meeting with Detroit and a meeting with the seventh-seeded Indiana Pacers (0.5 game ahead of the Bulls in the standings) on March 29.
Here’s a look at the final 13-game stretch for the Bulls, who currently are riding a three-game winning streak.
Win the games you should be expected to win
Nothing ever makes sense with the Bulls. That part is undoubtedly accurate.
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But, seven of their final 13 games in the regular season are against teams that aren’t in the postseason right now and that includes their final meeting with Detroit on April 2.
It’s the Bulls, so it’s totally understandable to see them beat Atlanta, Indiana and Houston in a four-day stretch next week to close out March, but it wouldn’t shock anyone if they lost to the Anthony Davis-less New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers in the final two games of the season.
That’s just how weird this team is.
For the love of everything that is good, stay healthy
Sure, health can’t exactly be controlled.
This Bulls team spends more time in the X-ray room than a film room.
But, for the Bulls to make a playoff push and avoid the lottery (something they have partaken in since after the 2007-08 season), they have to get and remain healthy. Taj Gibson and E’Twaun Moore‘s lingering hamstring issues, Pau Gasol‘s knee issue and age after a long season and Derrick Rose‘s nagging little injuries are more than enough for the Bulls. They can’t afford another big blow in this final stretch of games.
Next: Michael Jordan Speaks on His Game Coming Back During His Second Bulls Run
A look at the final 13 games:
- March 23 and 24: Home-and-home set with the New York Knicks (1-1 against the Knicks so far this season.)
- March 26: @ Orlando (1-1 against the Magic this season.)
- March 28: Atlanta (The Hawks have won five of the last six meetings against the Bulls.)
- March 29: @ Indiana (SEGABABA and Indiana sits right in front of the Bulls in the East standings.)
- March 31: @ Houston (The Bulls beat the Rockets on Mar. 5 in Jimmy Butler‘s return, 108-100.)
- April 2: Detroit (This is probably the game to circle on your calendars.)
- April 3: @ Milwaukee (SEGABABA, Milwuakee’s likely done in the playoff race, but probably wouldn’t mind playing the spoiler.)
- April 5: @ Memphis (Bulls and Grizzlies have alternated wins in the last five meetings, with the Bulls winning 98-85 in Dec.)
- April 7: @ Miami (It’s not the LeBron/Wade/Bosh days, but it’s always a game to keep your eyes on.)
- April 9: Cleveland (Speaking of LeBron, he’s coming to town.)
- April 11: @ New Orleans (Anthony Davis has been shut down for the year. That tells you all you need to know about this game.)
- April 13: Philadelphia (So, yeah … it’s the Sixers. Enough said.)