Chicago Bulls: Predicting the Outcome of Every Game in February

The Chicago Bulls will be starting off the month of February continuing what may arguably be the most arduous road trip in the history of the game. It's the third longest in team history, so the nine games themselves are difficult. 

What makes it even more difficult is the 15-day stretch that gives them barely any time to sleep, much less practice. 

Additionally, the trip, which kicked off against the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, the Miami Heat, also has Philadelphia, Boston and possibly a New York team that could be resurgent with Baron Davis playing the point. 

Here's how the Kellyometer breaks down each game of the month. 

At Philadelphia 76ers, Feb 1

The Philadelphia 76ers are going to be pumped to be playing the Chicago Bulls because they are intent on proving themselves as belonging to the Beasts in the East, and the only way they can do that is to beat one of them, i.e. Chicago or Miami. 

With both those teams coming to town on back to back games, look for them to be playing all out against the Bulls who could be tired with their third road game in a row and having missed so many starts from key players and possibly missing both Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng again tomorrow. 

Prediction: Bulls lose 87-83

Prediction based upon Deng missing the game. Should he play that would change things. A rejuvenated Bulls and a revenge-minded Rose disappoint the 76ers and the home crowd if he returns. 

Record: 18-6

At New York Knicks, Feb 2

A cure for a struggling offense is not the Bulls defense with a returning Luol Deng. The Knicks are having enough problems already and the Bulls give them the biggest beatdown of the season. 

The Bulls build a double digit lead early in the game and things get worse for New York from there. All five starters score in double digits, and in Luol Deng's return he shuts down Carmelo Anthony. 

Last year Jerry Sloan re-signed in Utah after the Bulls left. This year Mike D'Antoni may get fired. 

Bulls 108, Knicks 72

Record 19-6

At Milwaukee Bucks, Feb 4

The Bulls get to spend the night at home before going up to play Milwaukee the next day. Remembering the close game that came against the Bucks last year in Milwaukee, Rose and the Bulls get off to an early lead this time and don't need a comeback. 

Bulls 102, Bucks 91

Record 20-6

At New Jersey Nets, Feb 6

Derrick Rose always gets up to play the other elite point guards in the league. In the Thibodeau era he's outscored Deron Williams by an average of 24-11. He's also won all three matchups. Expect those trends to continue. 

Rose's supporting cast is better so when he outperforms Williams, which he will again, the Nets don't have much of a chance of beating the Bulls. 

Bulls 97, Nets 88

Record 21-6

At New Orleans Horents, Feb 8

Whenever the Bulls go on these long road trips there's that one game where they inexplicably play horribly. The hard part is picking which one it's going to be. If I have to roll the dice it's going to be this one. It's just got the disadvantage of being such an easy game to overlook. 

The Hornets are a horrible team, and the Bulls are likely to be going in complacent. They aren't helped by any personal vendettas to get the team up. That combined with the aggregation of the road trip wearing on them, should combine to make this one of those games.

For the first three quarters the Bulls play horribly. Then they do a lot to make it closer in the fourth, but it's too little to late. 

Hornets 98, Bulls 92

Record: 21-7

At Charlotte Bobcats, Feb 10

The Bobcats are one of the worst teams in the game. Angry about their performance in the previous loss, Rose and Noah both come out with a total effort, and they obliterate the Bobcats. This one is never close as the Bulls already have a double digit lead before the first quarter even ends. 

Bulls 107, Bobcats 77

Record: 22-7

At Boston Celtics, Feb 12

The Bulls make their second trip to the Garden this season, and the results are similar to last time. Once again wanting to prove they are just a better team the Bulls put some distance between themselves and the Celtics. This time they don't let Boston back in it. They secure their fourth consecutive win over Boston. 

Bulls 97, Celtics 84

Record: 23-7

Vs. Sacramento, Feb 14

The Sacramento Kings just aren't as good of a team as the Chicago Bulls and the Bulls prove it in their first game back from their extended road trip. 

This turns into one of those beatdown games as Rip Hamilton finally makes his return, and the Bulls play their first game in what seems forever at full strength. At home and rejuvenated the Bulls just put a beatdown on the Kings. 

Bulls 123, Kings 71

Record: 24-7

Vs. Boston Celtics, Feb 16

The Bulls play their third game against the Celtics this season, and their first at home. A Thursday night TNT game, it's the type that Rose typically plays at a different level. Facing Rondo and the Boston Celtics at home gives him even more incentive. 

This one turns out to be a relatively hard fought game but Rose has 37 points and 12 assists to lead the Bulls in their third victory over Boston this year. 

Chicago 93, Boston 88

Record 25-7

Vs. New Jersey, Feb 18

The Bulls follow up their third game of the season against the Celtics with their third meeting against the New Jersey Nets. These Nets are a bit different from the previous versions though. 

This time the Nets have Brook Lopez and Marshon Brooks returning. The spark gives them a higher level of play and they push the Bulls but not hard enough to escape with the win. Luol Deng hits the game winner with an expiring clock to give the Bulls a five game winning streak. 

Bulls 90, Nets 89

Record 26-7

Vs. Atlanta Hawks, Feb 20

The Hawks have played the Bulls twice this year, and both times the Bulls have been short handed and struggled against the Hawks zone defense. This time with Hamilton and Deng in the lineup, and with Rose nailing his three, the Bulls blow out the Hawks. 

The Bulls also give a brilliant defensive performance frustrating everything the Hawks try to do. Atlanta, unable to get the ball inside, settle for a lot of bad outside shots, and get trounced. 

Bulls 103, Hawks 78

Record 27-7

Vs. Milwaukee, Feb 22

Against the Milwaukee Bucks sans Andrew Bogut the Bulls' Joakim Noah has his biggest game of the season, going for 24 points and 16 boards. The Bulls win handily, maintaining a double digit lead most of the game but the Bucks fight hard and keep it from becoming a blowout. 

Bulls 101, Bucks 84

Record 28-7

Vs. New Orleans Hornets, Feb 28

Derrick Rose, ever one to hold a grudge, remembers who dealt the Bulls their last loss and is motivated this time the Bulls play the Hornets. It gets ugly fast as Rose scores 14 points in the first quarter. After racking up 34 through the first three quarters, he sits for the rest of the game as the Bulls lead handily and sweep their homestand to extend their win streak to eight games.

Bulls 111, Hornets 79

Record 29-7

@ San Antonio Spurs, Feb 29

Last year in San Antonio the Bulls led at the half only to have the Spurs come back and beat them. This year, the roles are reversed. The Spurs take a 12 point lead into halftime, but the Bulls come back in the third quarter and chip away at the Spurs lead. 

By the start of the fourth quarter the score is all tied up. The teams go back and forth through the final frame but the Bulls hold on to win in a nationally televised thriller.

Bulls 102, Spurs 101

Record: 30-7