If any NBA team needed a seven-day weekend, it’s the Bulls.
Losers of four straight and six of their past eight, Fred Hoiberg’s squad is reeling and far from healthy. All-Star Jimmy Butler is out at least a few more weeks. Derrick Rose is sore constantly. Nikola Mirotic is out indefinitely. Joakim Noah is done for the season.
All that was of no consolation for Taj Gibson after the Bulls’ 113-90 setback at home against Atlanta on Wednesday.
“We used to win games with less than this,” the veteran forward said. “It hurts my heart.”
The Bulls (27-25, seventh in the Eastern Conference) do have 30 games to get their act together if they’re going to live up to preseason expectations of challenging for a title. Here’s when fans should tune in to see if they’re rebounding—or on the verge of collapse.
Feb. 18 at Cleveland
For whatever reason, the Bulls are money against the Cavs in the regular season lately. They’re 2-0 against LeBron and Co. in 2015-16, including a 96-83 beatdown in Cleveland on Jan. 23. Right out of the gate, the Bulls can feel like a whole new team with a win.
Feb. 21 vs. L.A. Lakers
Kobe Bryant’s last visit to the UC. The point total to beat: 11. That’s how many Michael Jordan scored in his last game in Chicago, as a member of the Wizards in 2003.
March 5 vs. Houston
Scoring machine James Harden could go off for 50 points. Stare in amazement as his teammates call for the ball but almost never receive it. Plus you get to see ABC’s new glowing 3-point line thingy, which hopefully is more first-down line than glowing puck (Google it).
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March 10 at San Antonio
In a perfect world, this would be a potential NBA Finals preview. We appear to not live in that world. Still, try to at least watch until halftime and hear what dismissive, occasionally funny witticism Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has for the sideline reporter at halftime.
March 21 vs. Sacramento
What some Bulls fans wouldn’t give to go back to December and trade for Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. Unless he got hurt, too.
March 23 vs. New York, March 24 at New York
Meanwhile, the Knicks are 23-32 at the break and perceived to be vastly improved. Weird. Anyone think Phil “Eleven Rings” Jackson would agree to consult for the Bulls next season? Or maybe even before then? (We promise not to tell anyone.)
April 9 vs. Cleveland
The Bulls’ second-to-last home game coming off three straight road contests. Could be a momentum boost heading into the playoffs the next week. Could be a disaster.
That also is a reasonable date to expect Golden State to win its 73rd game, which would snap the 1995-96 Bulls’ record for regular-season victories. The Warriors would be 73-7 at the time. Salt, meet wound.
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