Game 11: at Milwaukee Bucks (Jan. 20)
If the Chicago Bulls wound up getting swept by the Milwaukee Bucks this season, would anyone really be taken aback?
The Bucks are very likely to be the team that comes out to represent the East in the NBA Finals. They have the best record in the East entering the New Year and started off the month right with a win over the Timberwolves. There’s no reason to think that the Bucks won’t be rolling when they face the Bulls on Jan. 20.
Unless the Bulls get help on the wing, with maybe the return of small forward Hutchison or veteran forward Thaddeus Young breaking through on defense, then facing MVP favorite Giannis Antetokoumpo could be rough.
Score Prediction: Bucks 116, Bulls 95 (Record 18-27)
Game 12: Minnesota Timberwolves (Jan. 22)
Will superstar big man Karl-Anthony Towns still be with the Timberwolves by the time that the Bulls meet with them on Jan. 22 at home at the United Center?
Who knows.
But the Bulls will have the opportunity to get closer to their 20th win of the regular season if they take down on the Timberwolves in a juicy chance at home on Jan. 22. WCJ and Lauri could put on a show against a Minnesota frontcourt that is lacking beyond KAT. And this seems like a game where rookie big man Daniel Gafford could really breakthrough.
This win keeps the Bulls playoff hopes alive as they move into their final five games of the month of January.