Bulls crack top 3 in CBS Sports’ NBA Power Rankings this week

With second-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls looking to get back at it again coming out of the All-Star Break in roughly 48 hours, we can now look forward to the stretch run of the season. Coming out of the All-Star Break, the Bulls are sporting a record of 38-21, tied for first place in the Eastern Conference standings with the Miami Heat.

There is plenty of excitement for what lies ahead for this Bulls team down the stretch this season. If the Bulls can get, and then stay healthy post-All-Star Break, this team could prove to be a legitimate title contender coming out of the East.

At this point of the season, the Bulls have proven that they are one of the best teams in the East. But proving that during the regular season and proving it in the postseason are two completely different things. Proving that this team is for real is something that really matters for Donovan and the Bulls come playoff time.

Yet, the Bulls are riding a wave of momentum post-All-Star Break. Heading into All-Star Weekend, the Bulls won five straight games. Their last win came over the Sacramento Kings at home on Feb. 16.

Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls rank in the top 3 in the latest CBS Sports power rankings

This wave of momentum the Bulls are riding right now is something that CBS Sports noticed in their latest NBA power rankings in the midst of the All-Star Break. The Bulls were the biggest riser in the latest edition of the CBS Sports NBA power rankings this week. That slid them up to the No. 3 slot in the league this week.

Here’s more on what was said about the placement of the Bulls in this week’s power rankings from CBS Sports.

"The Bulls didn’t face the world’s most difficult schedule this week, but they also won three of their four games without Zach LaVine. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan is out here breaking records set by Wilt Chamberlain. No, really. DeRozan became the first player in NBA history to score at least 35 points while shooting at least 50 percent from the field in seven consecutive games."

It looks like the play of the now five-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan really caught a lot of notoriety in this round of power rankings. DeRozan is on fire of late as he just made NBA history becoming the first player to score at least 35 points while shooting at least 50 percent from the field in seven straight games.

The schedule down the stretch this season won’t be easy for the Bulls, though. They have a manageable run coming up for the next week or so with their next two games at home. But one does come against one of the top teams in the NBA right now in the Memphis Grizzlies (Feb. 26).

Next up for Donovan and the Bulls coming out of the All-Star Break is a meeting at home at the United Center with the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 24. That game gives the Bulls an opportunity to move their winning streak to six.