Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls: 5 toughest games in the 2019-20 season

By Luke Askew

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 11: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors makes a three-point shot against the Chicago Bulls at ORACLE Arena on January 11, 2019 in Oakland, California. This basket is Curry's 2,283rd career three-pointer which moves him up to third on the all-time list of made three-point shots. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 11: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors makes a three-point shot against the Chicago Bulls at ORACLE Arena on January 11, 2019 in Oakland, California. This basket is Curry's 2,283rd career three-pointer which moves him up to third on the all-time list of made three-point shots. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. January 17 at Philadelphia

The Philadelphia 76ers made some good moves this summer. They lost an All-Star-caliber swingman in Jimmy Butler, but they added a talented three-and-D wing in Josh Richardson, a two-way veteran big man in Al Horford and a low-floor draft pick in Matisse Thybulle. They also re-signed Tobias Harris, someone who spaces the floor and gives them offensive versatility.

With a potential starting lineup of Ben Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford and Joel Embiid, the Sixers are looking like one of the biggest matchup-nightmares in recent NBA history. At 6-foot-6, Richardson would be the shortest player in that hypothetical lineup. No one else is under 6-foot-9. That’s ridiculous. How is anyone supposed to guard them? More importantly, how are the Bulls supposed to guard them?

Richardson is the only guy that Zach LaVine could conceivably guard, meaning a guy like Tomas Satoransky is going to have to guard… Tobias Harris? Sato is a solid defender and he’s taller than he looks, but that’s still a matchup Harris would be able to exploit.

What about the frontcourt? I like Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen as a pairing for the future, but are they ready to shut Embiid and Horford down? Doubtful.

Add in the fact that this is a road game for the Bulls on ESPN, and this is looking like a guaranteed loss for Chi-Town.

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