The Chicago Bulls faced numerous uncertainties as the New Year began. Would Zach LaVine smoothly reintegrate into the starting lineup? Was the team’s recent success a stroke of luck or a sign of a resurgence? And would the core players remain with the Bulls post the upcoming February trade deadline?
Regrettably, these pivotal questions remain unanswered. Yet, there are positive signs emerging as Chicago has kicked off 2024 impressively. Despite LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returning from injuries and initially coming off the bench, they’ve contributed to the Bulls’ strong 2-0 start in January.
Furthermore, there’s anticipation that the team might receive reinforcements in the latter part of the season, suggesting that circumstances might favor Chicago, positioning them with a winning advantage.
Several key factors are playing in Chicago’s favor as the Bulls look to bounce back in 2024.
1. Chicago has a favorable schedule in the second half
Prior to their most recent set of back-to-back games against the Hornets, the Bulls had the NBA’s easiest remaining strength of schedule. After facing the NBA’s fourth-worst team twice, they lost the top rank, but things are still looking good for Chicago in the future.
The Bulls’ remaining opponents currently have a 47.8% win percentage, making them the NBA’s fourth-easiest remaining strength of schedule, trailing only the Magic, Celtics, and Timberwolves. If the Bulls wish to salvage the season, they must perform well against the inferior teams on their schedule in order to re-enter the postseason picture.
2. The Bulls will be a much more well-rested team
A lot has been discussed regarding the Chicago Bulls’ struggles in navigating significant injuries within their lineup. However, another substantial hurdle impacting them across the initial 38 games of this season has been the sheer volume of games they’ve had to contend with.
At the time of this article’s publication, no NBA team has played more games than the Bulls. Alongside the Nuggets and Jazz, Chicago has participated in 38 games, while some other teams have had as few as 34 games under their belt. Additionally, the Bulls are among just seven teams that have completed 7 back-to-back games this season. This situation suggests that Chicago might encounter a smoother journey in the latter part of the season, allowing for more recovery time and the potential to mitigate further injuries.
3. The Bulls are building positive momentum and winning as a team
Following a challenging 5-14 start to the season, the team dynamics shifted notably when Zach LaVine exited the lineup due to a foot injury. During his absence, the Bulls secured victories in 10 out of 17 games, making significant progress in climbing out of their early-season struggles. Concerns were rife that LaVine’s return might negatively impact the team—concerns I shared—but so far, things have been going positively.
With wins in both games since LaVine’s return, the Bulls have now marked a 12-7 record in their last 19 games, projecting a pace equivalent to 52 wins across an entire season. Still trailing by just five games from securing the fourth seed, guaranteeing home-court advantage in the playoffs, the Bulls have a promising opportunity ahead, especially considering the favorable matchups in their upcoming schedule.
Much relies on LaVine’s readiness to embrace a team-oriented role and demonstrate his ability to contribute to winning outcomes. It’s a gamble the Bulls must be willing to take if they aim to have any chance of making a significant push for the postseason.
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