Chicago Bulls: Analyzing Each Game Left and Predicting the Bulls Final Record

The 2011 NBA season is winding down with not many games left to be played. The Bulls are currently the number two seed in the East ahead of the Miami Heat, and just behind the Boston Celtics. As the number two seed, the Bulls will spend the rest of the season with two goals in mind. One goal is to fend of the Miami Heat and maintain the number two seed, which will be the easier of the two. The other is to attempt to land the number one seed from the Boston Celtics, which will be difficult. That being said, here is an analysis of every game left on the schedule, a prediction of the Bulls final record and what seed the Bulls will enter the playoffs as. 

@ Charlotte, March 9th (today)

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives past Stephen Jackson #1 of the Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bobcats 106-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

The Bulls travel to Charlotte to play against MJ's team. The Bobcats have proven to be a problem for the Bulls this far as they are a quick, athletic team that can present matchup problems with their speed. But with the Bobcats loosing arguably their best player in Gerald Wallace, the Bulls will win this one pretty easily, despite their struggles on the road.

Road record: 18-14

Season record: 45-18

Vs. Atlanta, March 11th

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 28: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 28, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets deafeated the Hawks 100-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

The Bulls flopped earlier against the Hawks and lost a game they should have easily won. Yet, the team gets a chance at redemption a little later at the United Center. Look for the team to capitalize on their chance to make up for their earlier loss. 

Home Record: 28-4

Season Record: 46-18

Vs. Utah, March 12th

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Forward Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz passes the ball against Brendan Haywood #33 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on February 23, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

A back-to-back, the Jazz come into town on the backside of a difficult two game stretch. However, with the loss of Deron Williams and the fact the Bulls will be home for both games, the Bulls should be able to win both games.

Home Record: 29-4

Season Record: 47-18

Vs Washington, March 15th

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket while being guarded by John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizardsat the Verizon Center in Washington on February 28, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

John Wall and Co. comes to town, and two of the NBA's best young point guards again square off against each other. Yet, Rose will again get the better of Wall, and the quality of the Bulls bigs, Noah and Boozer, against Javale McGee will lead to a huge rebounding advantage and a W for the Bulls to finish up a three game stretch at home

Home Record: 30-4

Season Record: 48-18

@ New Jersey, March 17th

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: #8 Deron Williams of the Nets in action during the NBA match between New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena on March 4, 2011 in London, England. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

The Bulls have a nice two day break then travel to New Jersey to play against the lowly Nets. The Bulls should be able to win this game with no problem, but after the trade deadline this team is a little different. With a young, quality big in Brook Lopez and a ridiculous point guard in Deron Williams the Nets have established a solid base to build from. But the team is ripe for an upset, and the Bulls have a poor road record, leading the Bulls to another loss to the Nets.

Away Record: 18-15

Season Record: 48-19

@ Indiana, March 18th

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or us

The second game in a back-to-back, the Bulls are coming off a loss from the retooled Nets. Yet the Bulls have much more talent than the Pacers and will be able to win this game easily, despite the fact it is the second game and a road game.

Road Record: 19-15

Season Record: 49-19

Vs. Sacramento, March 21st

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CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a call against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 25, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

The Bulls return to the United Center after two games away to play against the Kings, led by Tyreke Evans and Demarcus Cousins. The Kings certainly have plenty of young talent, but aren't a serious threat to the Bulls who would have had three days off, and should be able to win easily.

Home Record: 31-4

Season Record: 50-19

@ Atlanta, March 22nd

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 08: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks argues with an official after he was called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers at Philips Arena on March 8, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Another back-to-back, the Bulls play away at a talented Atlanta team they have already blown a game too. With the Bulls average road record and tired legs from the night before, the team will loose this game. 

Road Record: 19-16

Season Record: 50-20

Vs. Memphis, March 25th

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Good'ole OJ Mayo, the player the Bulls desperately wanted comes into the United Center, but unfortunately with a different name on his jersey. The Grizzlies have some ability and could pose a threat to the Bulls, but considering the fact it is a home game for the Bulls and that they had three days off before hand, Chicago should get the W.

Home Record: 32-4

Season Record: 51-20

@ Milwaukee, March 26th

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ATLANTA - MAY 2: Guard Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles with the ball during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 2, 2

The Bulls travel up to Milwaukee to play a young Bucks team led by former coach Scott Skiles. Even with Brandon Jennings, the Bulls should be able to win this game easily. Yet it is a back-to-back, which could make the game more difficult. However, the Bulls should be able to pull through and win this game.

Road Record: 20-16

Season Record: 52-20

Vs. Philadelphia, March 28th

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 21: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center on December 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 121-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

The Bulls return home and have a day's rest before playing the below average 76ers. With a number two overall pick from this season already labeled a bust and a lack of serious talent leads the Bulls to an easy win. 

Home Record: 33-4

Season Record: 53-20

@ Minnesota, March 30th

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after missing a shot against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

The Bulls travel to Minnesota as two of the NBA's best rebounders in Joakim Noah and Kevin Love face off. The two competitors for the first overall draft pick several years ago in Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley also square off. But with much more talent on the Bulls and better coaching, the Bulls will win easily.

Road Record: 21-16

Season Record: 54-20

@ Detroit, April 1st

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 24: Ben Gordon #7 of the Detroit Pistons sets up a play during the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on January 24, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

The Bulls travel to Detroit and the Palace to play against a Piston's team that is just a shell of it's former self. While many of the same players from their title run several years ago are still on the roster, their old age and lack of quality players around them leads to the Bulls easily winning this game.

Road Record: 22-16

Season Record: 55-20

Vs Toronto. April 2nd

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: #24 Sonny Williams of the Raptors in action during the NBA match between New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena on March 4, 2011 in London, England. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

A back-to-back against the team the Bulls were competing with for the 8th playoff position last year, each roster is dramatically different. The Bulls added some serious talent while the Raptors lost their best player as he went on to be the third wheel in Miami. But the Toronto roster still has players who can score if they all are on the same page. Since it is a back-to-back, the Toronto roster should be able to take advantage, leading to a L for the Bulls.

Home Record: 33-5

Season Record: 55-21

Vs. Phoenix, April 5th

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 24: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns lays up a shot during the NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at US Airways Center on November 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadin

The Bulls get a few days off before playing home against the Suns led by veteran Steve Nash. The Bulls are a much better team though based on talent and coaching. Add in the fact the Bulls will be rested and their good home record, the team will come down with the W.

Home Record: 34-5

Season Record: 56-21

Vs. Boston, April 7th

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BOSTON - NOVEMBER 05: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls takes a shot as Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics on November 5, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Bulls 110-105 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expres

In a key game against Tom Thibodeau's former team, and Joakim Noah's worst enemy, the Bulls will probably be faced with a must-win situation. As the team will be competing with the Celts for the 1st spot in the East, and this being the last meeting between the two at the end of the season, this game might determine who wins the the east. The Celts are getting older and Rondo is overrated because he plays with three future Hall of Famers. Yet, they are led by Doc Rivers and are still a threat to the Bulls. Despite their best effort, the Bulls will probably loose this game.

Home Reocrd: 34-6

Season Record: 56-22

@ Cleveland, April 8th

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers on the court against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 9, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

A Back-to-back against the league worst Cavs after a tough loss to the Celts, the Bulls will capitalize against such a poor team and get the W.

Road Record: 23-16

Season Record 57-22

@ Orlando, April 10th

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Loul Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot against Hedo Turkoglu #15 and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER

The Bulls will finish the season with a better record than the Magic, yet will loose while playing against them on the road. Dwight Howard is basically unstoppable down low, even with Joakim Noah playing against him. But the main reason why the Bulls will loose is that Tom Thibodeau will limit his starters minutes against such a physical team to prevent an injury three days before the season ends. As a result, the Magic, who will play their starters longer in an attempt to land a higher playoff seed, will dominate the Bulls and win big.

Road Record:23-17

Season Record:57-23

@ New York, April 12th

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks on during a foul shot during a game gainst the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on February 27, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

The Knicks are a dangerous team. Any way you slice it, the team has some serious scorers and Mr. Big Shot. In fact, it is possible that this team, if given time to jell, could be as good as the Heat offensively. Their weakness is obviously defense as they can't stop anyone, especially in the low post. But no matter what, they will score every night, and in large numbers. The trick is to outscore the Knicks, and it will be hard to do. But again, the Bulls will probably rest their starters and the Knicks will win this game as they play their key players in an attempt to land a better playoff seed.

Road Record:23-18

Season Record:57-24

Vs. New Jersey, April 13th

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Nets Captain, Brook Lopez #11 leaves the court during the NBA match between New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena on March 4, 2011 in London, England. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

The Bulls final game of the season takes place at the United Center in a back-to-back against the lowly Nets. And while the starters have been resting the last few games, the starters will play slightly more minutes during this game to make sure they are ready for the playoffs. Kurt Thomas will also get serious playing time to get him back into the swing of things as he will play in the playoffs.

Home Record: 35-6

Season Record: 58-24

Final Analysis

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls high fives teammate Joakim Noah #13 after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bulls defeated the Suns 123-115

So what does this projection tell us? The Bulls, by this analysis, are expected to finish with a record of 58-24, which is much better than last year. Derrick Rose will most likely win MVP and Coach Thibodeau will certainly be in the running for Coach of the Year. 

According to John Hollinger of ESPN, the Celtics will finish the season with a record of 60-22, and the Heat with a record of 55-27. As a result, the Bulls will likely end up with the number two seed in the East that they currently hold. As a result, the Bulls will most likely play the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs this year.