5 key games to watch for the Chicago Bulls in 2017-18 NBA season

BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
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The Chicago Bulls will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 18.
PHILADELPHIA,PA – APRIL 6 : Robin Lopez #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on April 6, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

3. The Bulls’ first meeting with the godfathers of the tank: the 76ers

Dec. 18 brings an intriguing game for the Bulls in Chicago a week before Christmas. For the first time, the Bulls will face No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz and the Philadelphia 76ers. If he’s healthy, it will also be the first time Bulls fans will get to see former No. 3 overall pick and NBA Twitter MVP Joel Embiid live and in action also.

Throw in Dario Saric and former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons and this game has youth all over the floor in Chicago. You’d be hard-pressed to find another game on the NBA calendar that has more youth involved than this one and that’s including 35-year-old Dwyane Wade.

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With the Bulls embarking on a new tanking journey of sorts, this game could be a slight preview of a best-case scenario for the Bulls in their own tank moving forward. The Sixers potentially could have some of the league’s biggest stars with guys like Fultz, Embiid and Simmons in the fold during their potential rise to the top of the NBA someday.

It’s really about chemistry and good health for these prospects in Philly and this game could provide optimistic Bulls fans a glimmer of hope for the future in Chicago.