Chicago Bulls:
Offense: (103.9) 28th
Defense: (105.1) 5th
Net: (minus -1.3) 15th
Games Week 11 (0-3): Lost to Bucks 102-124, Jazz: 98-102 | Celtics: 104-111
Games Week 12 (4 games): Mon at Mavericks | Weds at Pelicans | Fri vs. Pacers | Sat at Pistons
One step forward, two steps back — so has been the season for the Bulls who had climbed up to third defensively in week 10 after a good run where they managed to win five games in eight contests.
Unfortunately, week 11 served to remind them they aren’t ready to join the upper tier quite yet as they lost three games in a row to the Bucks, Jazz, and Celtics.
Week 12 won’t get easier with two tough teams (Mavs/Pacers) a rapidly improving club (Pelicans) and the struggling Pistons.
The Clippers remain the only team with a record over .500 that the Bulls have defeated (Dec 14: 109-106). They’ll face five more elite teams in the next nine games and be on the road for six of their next nine.
The team who I clung to the belief could steal that last Eastern seed will either need to make a trade prior to the deadline or hope Otto Porter Jr’s return can offset their needs. Otherwise, it’s looking like another lottery visit for the Bulls.