The Chicago Bulls have won! But at what cost? Well, it's a pretty steep one, as a matter of fact. Chicago's playoff chances jumped from 30 to 43 percent after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers. With the loss, the 76ers have decreased from 18 to 13 percent.
Coincidentally, as the Bulls were scoring at will against Philadelphia, the 11th-placed Brooklyn Nets were doing quite the opposite against the worst team in the NBA, the Washington Wizards. The Wizards defeated the Nets, 107-99. Brooklyn's playoff odds consequently dropped from 28 to 22 percent overnight.
While a late February win does not automatically guarantee the Bulls' a playoff-birth, a 13 percent jump in probability is noteworthy. If the Bulls would have lost, and the Nets won, Chicago would be in 11th-place with a one-game lead over the 76ers. Now, the Bulls are 1.5 games ahead of the Nets and 2.5 games ahead of the Sixers.
There's plenty of contests left to determine the bottom third of the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago has 24 games remaining, while Brooklyn and Philadelphia each have 23. Fortunately for the Bulls, the 76ers have one of the easier schedules remaining. Philadelphia's strength of schedule from here on out is 47.2 percent, compared the Chicago's 50.1 percent.
The Nets' remaining schedule strength is a tick above the Bulls' at 51.0 percent. Lastly, the 12th place Toronto Raptors have the easiest remaining schedule in basketball. The Raptors upcoming 25 opponents' cumulative win percentage is 39.4 percent. Coincidentally, Chicago squares off against Toronto twice more, and Brooklyn and Philadelphia one more time.
Chicago's 3 most important remaining games
3. April 1 vs Toronto Raptors
Bulls season record against Raptors: 2-0
The Bulls have already defeated the Raptors twice this season. Once in mid-December and a second time at the end of January. The Raptors were without Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, while the Bulls were without Zach LaVine in the season's first bout. Chicago led by 16 points in the fourth quarter before a 25-10 Raptors surge made it a close game.
Chicago was sans LaVine in the second matchup of the season. Despite the now-Sacramento King's absence from the lineup, the Bulls went on to win 122-106. The Bulls converted 50.6 percent of their field goals and 45.0 percent of their three-pointers against the Raptors to end a five-game winning streak.
The Bulls will face the Raptors on Friday, February 28, and again on Tuesday, April 1. The late-February contest is surely worthwhile, but April's contest will be much more important. First, new addition Brandon Ingram should be in the lineup by April. The 6-foot-8 forward has been dealing with an ankle injury since December. However, Ingram is projected to return to the hardwood in March.
Second, this contest is Chicago's 76th game of the season—draft lottery position will nearly be finalized. Nonetheless, the Bulls' schedule post-Toronto is rather easy. From April 1 onward, the Bulls play one team with a winning record.
2. March 13 vs Brooklyn Nets
Bulls season record against Nets: 1-1
Chicago and Brooklyn have clashed twice this season, splitting the series. The Nets won the first game on November 1, 120-112. A month later, the Bulls defeated Brooklyn by 26 points, winning 128-102. The Nets were without numerous key contributors the second time around. This instance likely won't change as the season winds down.
Brooklyn is one of the more apparent rebuilding squads in the NBA. Despite a much-better-than-expected record, the Nets have prioritized a rebuild. Brooklyn has traded several rotation players, including Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, only to receive salary matches and draft compensation.
The upcoming version of the Nets Chicago will face off against is much different than November or December's iteration. While leading scorer Cam Thomas should make his return to the lineup, there's no telling who will suit up for Brooklyn at this juncture in the season.
The Nets' schedule between now and March 13 is rigorous. Winning two of eight contests would be surprising. Therefore, the stakes are heightened. Conversely, the Bulls' next seven contests are nearly as challenging. As the Nets' losses predictably pile up, Chicago must assume defeat against its foe in the standings.
1. April 13 at Philadelphia 76ers
Bulls season record against 76ers: 1-2
After six consecutive losses, Chicago broke its losing streak against no other than the 76ers. The Bulls eviscerated the downtrodden Sixers, winning by 32 points. Chicago dropped 142 points on Philadelphia and led by as many as 50 in the contest.
A win is a win, but this one was as close to a loss as anything regarding draft positioning. As previously mentioned, the Bulls are now 2.5 games ahead of Philadelphia. The 76ers have dropped to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings amid an eight-game losing streak. To make matters worse (better?) for the 76ers, Joel Embiid may potentially sit out the rest of the season as he deliberates how to treat his ailing left knee.
Without Embiid, the 76ers are 12-26 this season, compared to 8-11 with the big man. Philadelphia's record isn't too difficult to navigate as the season comes to a close. However, without Embiid in the lineup, the Sixers will struggle.
The Bulls play Philadelphia once more this season in the ultimate game of the regular season. The mid-April lineups of losing squads are almost unpredictable. Thus, anything is possible. Nevertheless, there's a real chance this game determines the lottery order. Philadelphia and Chicago are neck-and-neck, and the final game of the regular season may determine who has a 40 percent chance at a top-four selection in the NBA Draft.
