The improving Chicago Bulls face a tough road ahead in January

The Chicago Bulls many improvements in December will be put to the test with a tough month of matchups against multiple playoff teams in January.

Despite a rough loss to Milwaukee to close the month, December was undeniably good to the Chicago Bulls. The typically fledgling team finished with a 7-7 record, a far cry from the many losing months fans have become accustomed to lately.

Part of that success is due to multiple crucial pieces of the team hitting their stride in December. Lauri Markkanen broke free of his shooting woes and hit a smooth 50 percent of his shots in December. Tomas Satoransky looks reinvigorated as well, as he’s scored in double digits in the Bulls last six outings. Wendell Carter Jr. even appears to have started to find his much-touted range as the month draws to a close, having hit two deep balls in the team’s blowout win against the Atlanta Hawks.

On top of that, the Chicago Bulls now own the eighth-best defensive rating in the league, albeit still without being able to put together their individual offensive improvements as a team.

These developments have put the Bulls firmly in the playoff race heading into January. They’re well within striking distance of the eighth seed Orlando Magic, and could even conceivably take over the Brooklyn Nets seventh seed if their improvements continue.

Unfortunately, all of those recent successes are going to be heavily challenged by a difficult slate ahead in January.

Right off the bat, the Bulls face three virtually guaranteed playoff teams in the Jazz, Celtics, and Mavericks.

The Jazz hold a top 10 defense, and have recently begun to fix their biggest weakness by adding Jordan Clarkson to the bench. The Celtics are an all-around wrecking ball, with a top five offense and defense. Finally, the Mavericks lead the league in offensive rating, and have a frontrunner in the MVP race in Luka Doncic.

From there, the schedule eases slightly, but still presents plenty of hurdles. Two matchups against a playoff-bound Pacers team that could easily have two All-Stars in Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis will surely be bruising. Additional matchups with the Bucks and 76ers only look bleaker, along with a second date against the Celtics.

With that many tough outings, its going to be difficult for the Bulls to stay in playoff contention. Three back-to-backs also means the team could struggle against typically beatable competition like the Pistons and Cavaliers.

That January slate is a far cry from the team’s December schedule which featured only four strong playoff teams and a lone back-to-back.

A lot will be revealed about the Chicago Bulls by how they respond to those challenges in January. Jim Boylen will have to continue to prove he’s pushed this team beyond it’s previous defensive woes into a hard-playing unit. Markkanen will have to not only continue to be a lights-out shooter, but also command the ball more often as a true second option to Zach LaVine. Satoransky will have to keep making his presence known at the hoop, and Carter Jr. has to cement his extended range to become the floor-stretching five that many believe him to be.

If all of that happens, then the Bulls may have a true chance of stealing enough wins from some of the league’s best to stay in the playoff hunt. If any of those elements falter though, don’t be surprised if the Bulls playoff chances look bleak after the beatings they could take in January.