Predicting Chicago Bulls’ 2022-23 regular season record
After the most successful season the team has experienced since 2015, the Chicago Bulls are looking to continue improving on their winning ways from the 2021-22 season. That all starts here, now that the schedule for the upcoming campaign has finally been released to the public.
Improving on a 46-36 record is far from an impossible task, but it won’t be getting any easier as Chicago’s roster has remained largely the same while several worse teams made significant moves to better their odds. If the Bulls want to remain in the picture, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have their work cut out for them to bring this storied franchise back to the lime light.
In case you missed yesterday’s news, you can find the Chicago Bulls’ official 2022-23 NBA schedule here.
OUR SCHEDULE IS HERE. @ATT | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/7tZwiX0c6O
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 17, 2022
Now that the 2022-23 schedule has officially dropped, we can finally envision what the upcoming season may have in store for the Chicago Bulls.
October, November, and December
The Bulls start things out hot as eight of their first twelve games will come against playoff-caliber teams from the Eastern Conference in Miami, Cleveland, Boston (twice), Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Toronto (twice). With the schedule set to lighten up in December, Chicago’s ability to stay afloat early on will have long-term ramifications on their potential playoff seeding.
- Must-watch game: Bulls @ Warriors, December 2
The Bulls will get their first crack at the defending NBA champions early in December as they look to dispel the narrative of being a team unable to defeat the league’s true contenders. As one of Chicago’s 10 nationally televised games this upcoming season, this is a game you won’t want to miss.
- Most difficult game: Bulls @ Heat, October 19
Ironically, the most difficult game across the opening months may just end up being the very first. The season opener will be a critical game for the Bulls, as the Heat had their number last year. Miami posted a 4-0 record against Chicago last season as the Bulls were effectively outcoached and outplayed. Overcoming Erik Spoelstra’s defensive schemes and learning how to win without iso-ball will be a huge challenge, potentially exacerbated even further if Lonzo Ball is still not ready to return.
- Must-win game: Bulls @ Thunder, November 25
In the midst of a six-game road trip that includes games against the last two NBA champions, picking up a win here will be crucial for Chicago. Pitted against a team that once again looks like it has the makings of a bottom feeder, the Bulls need to come out with a win here and build some momentum heading into December.
The Chicago Bulls will have their hands full early on, but I still believe they can scrape out a respectable record and put themselves on track to compete for home court advantage in the playoffs. Looking at the teams the Bulls are scheduled up against, achieving a 22-14 record is a realistic goal to have in mind and would put the team on pace for 50 wins.