The Bulls’ Elaborate Playoff Hopes

As of April 5, 2023, the Bulls are the 10 seed with the record of 38-42.

In comparison to last season, this season is a step in the wrong direction.

Last season, the Bulls had a great start early on with a record of about 27-11. But once injuries piled up and their lack of depth showed, wins were harder to come by, having them end the regular season 46-36.

Within this season, the Bulls remained mediocre throughout. Of course, their stars DeRozan and LaVine produced their usual numbers and signed Patrick Beverley for energy, but nothing ever seemed to be enough.

However, there is still hope for the Bulls making the playoffs. The process just is complicated with the position they are in.

As the 10 seed, the Bulls must beat the 9 seed and beat the loser of the 7 vs 8 seeds’ play-in game. Currently, the 9 seed is the Raptors, the 8 seed is the Hawks, and the 7 seed is the Heat.

The only guaranteed matchup is vs the Raptors.

The Inevitable Matchup (Bulls vs. Raptors)

Over the course of the 2022-23 regular season, the Bulls and Raptors have had 3 matchups.

The first was on Nov. 6, 2022, where the Bulls lost 113-104.

Within that game, the Bulls shot 45.5% from the field, 36.1% from 3-point range, and 84.6% from the line. On the other side, the Raptors shot 42.3% from the field, 27.0% from 3-point range, and 75.0% from the line.

Looking further into the final stats, the Bulls gave up 4 more fouls, 8 more turnovers, and allowed 62 points in the paint. Essentially, the Bulls got beat physically.

The second game was on Nov. 7, 2022, where the Bulls won 111-97.

Within this game, the Bulls shot 52.5% from the field, 32.1% from 3-point range, and 81.8% from the line. This performance was better in comparison to how the Raptors played, in which, they shot 42.4% from the field, 32.1% from 3-point range, and 72.7 % from the line.

The Bulls shot 10.1% better from the field, even from 3-point range, and 9.1% better from the line. They also won the rebound 49 to 31 and had 6 more points in the paint (56 to 50).

Basically, the Bulls evened out their battles in the paint and managed to win convincingly.

The final matchup on Feb. 28 was interesting.

Despite shooting 12% better from the field, 5% better from 3-point range, 14% better from the line, and evening up the paint points at 42, the Bulls lost to the Raptors 104-98.

The reason they lost was the rebound battle, in which the Bulls got 35 and the Raptors got 47.

All in all, for the Bulls to beat the Raptors, they must be physical. They must rebound, score in the paint, and get to the line.

Another Scenario? Bulls vs Heat?

If they beat the Raptors, the Bulls will face either the Hawks or the Heat next.

Judging by the 3 matchups they had with the Heat, the Bulls’ success against them is likely.

On Oct. 19, 2022, the Bulls beat the Heat 116-108.

On Dec. 20, 2022, the Bulls beat them again 113-103.

In the final matchup, on March 18, 2023, the Bulls beat them 113-99.

As shown on statmuse between the Bulls and Heat, they won due to 6 major factors: total points, field goal %, 3-point %, free throw %, blocks, and steals, it’s shown as follows:

-114.0 total points to the Heat’s 103.3

-51.2% from the field to the Heat’s 45.3%

-42.6% from 3-point range to Heat’s 33.9%

-81.0% from the line to Heat’s 76.8%

-3.7 blocks to the Heat’s 1.3

-9.0 steals to the Heat’s 6.3

Therefore, if they continue to do well in all the areas listed above or more, the Bulls will most likely win.

Another one? Bulls vs Hawks?

In the other scenario, if Hawks lost to the heat, the matchup is harder to judge.

Within the 2022-23 season, the Bulls and Hawks matched up 4 times during the season, each more unpredictable than the next.

In their first matchup on Dec. 11, 2022, the Bulls lost to the Hawks 122-123.

On Dec. 21, 2022, the Bulls beat the Hawks 110-108.

On Jan. 23, 2023, the Bulls beat the Hawks 111-100.

In their final matchup on April 4, 2023, the Bulls lost to the Hawks 105-123.

As shown, the outcome of a game between the Bulls and Hawks is difficult to judge.

Statmuse further puts that into perspective.

Many of the stats shown between the Bulls and Hawks are very close both offensively and defensively. But each team has their own slight edges.

The Bulls have a slight edge defensively averaging: 10.3 steals to the Hawks’ 5.0, 4.8 blocks to the Hawk’s 6.0, and 11.5 turnovers to the Hawks’ 15.8.

Offensively, the Bulls are at a slight disadvantage averaging: 112.0 total points to the Hawks’ 113.5, 23.0 assists to the Hawks’ 25.0, and 47.6 field goal % to the Hawks’ 48.1%.

All in all, judging by these numbers, the Bulls will have to rely on their defense to win.

The Most Significant Matchup

However, none of this can happen if the Bulls can’t beat the Raptors first.

Therefore, before worrying about any other teams, the Bulls must focus on beating the Raptors!

They must make sure that, in whatever time given, they practice being physical and adapt when needed.

If they succeed, then they can worry about teams like the Hawks or the Heat.

Regardless, by play-in time, the Bulls need to be laser-focused on the Raptors.

---

Stay tuned for more NBA content, including midseason moves, contract updates, and more pieces about every team.

Featured image courtesy of James Dator-sbnation.com

You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers!

“From our Haus to Yours”

• SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
• Platoblockchain. Web3 Metaverse Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
• Source: https://thegamehaus.com/nba/the-bulls-elaborate-playoff-hopes/2023/04/06/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-bulls-elaborate-playoff-hopes