With just 23 games left in the 2012-2013 NBA season for the Bulls, every game matters for playoff positioning. The Bulls currently sit in the #6 spot in the East and would have to play on the road at Indiana if the playoffs began today.
The Bulls sit 3 1/2 games out of the #2 seed in the East. With the potential return of Derrick Rose, the Bulls could get themselves involved in an interesting Eastern Conference playoff race.
Out of their 23 games left, the Bulls currently have 10 home games and 13 road games left. Granted the Bulls have struggled at home this season, their remaining home schedule isn’t too tough.
Here’s their remaining home games:
Utah, Denver, Portland, Indiana, Miami, Detroit, Orlando, Toronto, NY Knicks & the season finale against Washington.
There’s a key three game home stand with Denver, Portland and Indiana that could be key to the Bulls success. A sweep of that home stand would be ideal and the Indiana game could mean a world of importance for the Bulls.
I see very winnable games against Utah, Portland, Detroit, Orlando, Toronto and Washington. Heck even the Knicks game can be considered winnable due to the Bulls success against the Knicks this season.
The games the Bulls will struggle with are against two teams ahead of them in the playoff picture: The Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers.
If the Bulls can manage a winnable home stand they will be in good shape, granted they don’t completely fall apart during the end of the year.
Predicted remaining home game record: 7-3.
Now on to the remaining road schedule.
Indiana, San Antonio, LA Lakers, Sacramento, Golden State, Minnesota, Dallas, Washington, Brooklyn, Detroit, Toronto, Miami, Orlando.
The Bulls have 13 games left on the road, but just 5 of them against teams currently in the playoffs. They also have two 3-game road trips left on the schedule.
One is out West against the Lakers, Kings and Warriors. The other is at the end of the season against the Raptors, Heat and Magic. If one were to give them trouble it would be the West Coast trip. The Lakers will be battling for a playoff spot, same goes with the Warriors.
With only two divisional games left on the road, both could be crucial for the Bulls chances at another Central Division title.
Predicted remaining road schedule: 7-6.
If your good at math, that comes out to a 14-9 record in their remaining 23 games. That would put them at 48 wins and 34 losses, which is good enough for the playoffs.
The key for the Bulls is to win the games they are supposed to win. But that’s always easier said than done. Taking care of Indiana in their final two meetings with the Pacers is huge for their Central Division title chances.
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