Bulls 2012 Schedule: Predicting How Entire 66-Game Season Plays out for Chicago
The NBA announced its 2011-2012 66-game schedule, and the Chicago Bulls are ready to show the league they are for real.
After leading the NBA with 62 wins and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls are on a mission to win the NBA Finals.
But first, they need to go through a tiring schedule, with foes like the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks to play.
Here's how the entire 66-game season will play out for the Bulls.
Week 1: Chicago Bulls Go 3-1
1 of 18Christmas kicks off the NBA season, as the Chicago Bulls begin Week 1 with a four-game road trip.
The Bulls have a marquee matchup with legend Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant will prove too much for the Bulls as the Lakers win a close battle.
Chicago will then travel to play the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Warriors don't play defense well, and the Kings need time for Jimmer Fredette to develop, producing two easy wins for the Bulls.
The Clippers are an up-and-coming team with Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe, but the Bulls' Derrick Rose will dominate point guard Mo Williams.
Bulls record: 3-1
Week 2: Chicago Bulls Go 3-2
2 of 18The Chicago Bulls then return to the United Center in Week 2 for a couple games to play the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks.
Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, coming off a hot playoff run, will lead Memphis to victory by overwhelming Bulls Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.
The Bulls have the Hawks' number and will beat their playoff foe by neutralizing guards Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford with stifling defense.
Chicago hits the road again to face the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Hawks.
The Pistons will remain a team in disarray, and the Bulls tend to take care of Dwight Howard and company, so count on two wins.
The Hawks will be motivated to avenge their loss earlier in the week. Plus, it would be hard to shut down Crawford and Johnson after playing for the fourth time in five days.
Bulls record: 6-3
Week 3: Chicago Bulls Go 4-1
3 of 18Week 3 will be hectic for the Chicago Bulls, but they should have some easier foes to deal with.
The Bulls face the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards from Jan. 9-11.
However, the Bulls should sweep those teams, as the Pistons are a mess and the Timberwolves and Wizards have only Kevin Love and John Wall to worry about.
The Bulls then travel to Boston to face the Celtics on Jan. 13. Boston will be one of the teams that could get in the way of a Bulls championship run, as the Celtics will prove that with a victory leaning on their Big Four.
The next day, Chicago goes to Toronto to face a weak Raptors squad, where Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer should dominate.
Bulls record: 10-4
Week 4: Chicago Bulls Go 2-2
4 of 18The Chicago Bulls might show a bit of fatigue this week after playing back-to-back five game weeks.
The Bulls will face the Memphis Grizzlies on the road Jan. 16 and the Phoenix Suns at home the following day.
Losing two in a row is not too much of a stretch, as the Grizzlies have Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and a healthy Rudy Gay in the lineup to produce a potent frontcourt.
The Suns still have a run-and-gun offense that is run by star point guard Steve Nash. The Canadian baller averaged 10 points and 16 assists in two games against the Bulls last year.
The Bulls should then log two more to the win column with easier foes in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Bobcats on Jan. 20-21.
Cavaliers rookie Kryie Irving will be a good NBA player, but Derrick Rose will take him to school. The Bobcats are a dysfunctional team that will not improve even after free agency.
Bulls record: 12-6
Week 5: Chicago Bulls Go 3-0
5 of 18After a rough week, the Chicago Bulls should rebound nicely with an easier Week 5 schedule.
The Bulls would have three straight games at the United Center against the New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Nets are a young team trying to establish themselves, but Brook Lopez and Derron Williams will be no match for Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose.
The Pacers will want revenge after losing 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs, but the Bulls are simply too much for Indiana with superior depth.
Milwaukee can't ever seem to have Andrew Bogut never seems to reach his potential with the Bucks. Point guard Brandon Jennings is nowhere near Rose.
Bulls record: 15-6
Week 6: Chicago Bulls Go 3-2
6 of 18The Chicago Bulls have a tough five-game road trip in Week 6, as they will face three Eastern Conference playoff teams. This is the first of a long nine-game road trip.
Jan. 26 is against the Miami Heat, and the Heat should continue their domination of the Bulls with a convincing win, as Dwyane Wade will school whoever plays shooting guard for the Bulls.
The next day, the Bulls face the Wizards and should win an easy one.
The Philadelphia 76ers will be Feb. 1, and the key of that game is if Carlos Boozer can post up on a declining Elton Brand. If he can, count this as a win.
A recharged New York Knicks squad will have Madison Square Garden rocking and beat the Bulls. Expect Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire to demonstrate why they are among the NBA's elite by owning Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
The Bulls will get a much needed day of rest before traveling Feb. 4 to face the Milwaukee Bucks. Derrick Rose will not let the Bulls lose two straight and should blow up Brandon Jennings with driving effectively in the lane.
Bulls record: 18-8
Week 7: Chicago Bulls Go 2-1
7 of 18The Chicago Bulls' extended road trip continues in Week 7, as they will face the New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and the Charlotte Bobcats.
Beating the Nets Feb. 6 and the Bobcats Feb. 10 will most likely happen, but the Bulls will have some problems against the Hornets.
A healthy Chris Paul has given the Bulls some matchup problems. Paul has averaged 21.8 points and 10 assists in 10 career games against the Bulls.
Bulls record: 20-9
Week 8: Chicago Bulls Go 2-2
8 of 18The Chicago Bulls will face the Boston Celtics Feb. 16 and 20, so expect a split.
On Valentine's Day, the Sacramento Kings will show the Bulls no love, as rookie Jimmer Fredette will start getting into a zone and post a solid night.
The Bulls should rebound against a struggling New Jersey Nets team on Feb. 18, as a disgruntled Deron Williams might be trying to force his way off the team via trade.
Bulls record: 22-11
Week 9: Chicago Bulls Go 2-0
9 of 18The Chicago Bulls get just two games in Week 9, as the NBA will then go on its All-Star break.
Chicago will face off against the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks at home, with both teams struggling to find an identity at .500.
The Bulls will want to finish strong before the break.
Bulls record: 24-11
Week 10: Chicago Bulls Go 2-1
10 of 18The All-Star weekend should refresh the Chicago Bulls, as the team will try positioning itself for the stretch run.
Feb. 28 has a rematch with the New Orleans Hornets, but this time, the Bulls are home. The Bench Mob could play a vital role in this projected win.
The San Antonio Spurs will host the Bulls the following night. Tony Parker and Derrick Rose will be an interesting matchup in which the savvy Spur will lock down Rose defensively.
The Bulls then face the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road March 2, and Kyrie Irving should be more seasoned. However, Irving's top performance cannot stop a deeper Bulls squad from rolling away with this one.
Bulls record: 26-12
Week 11: Chicago Bulls Go 4-1
11 of 18The Chicago Bulls will begin distinguishing themselves from the crowd as they go 4-1 in Week 11.
The Bulls superior frontcourt depth of Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson will overrun the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers on March 4-5.
The Milwaukee Bucks will still not have an answer for Derrick Rose on March 7, as the star point guard has a career average of 19.3 points and nine assists per game in 12 contests.
The Orlando Magic come to town the following day, and star center Dwight Howard will have a decided advantage over Noah and Boozer. Howard had 24.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and three blocks per game in three matchups against the Bulls last year. He should lead the Magic to victory.
The Bulls will then recover against a weak Utah Jazz team March 10.
Bulls record: 30-13
Week 12: Chicago Bulls Go 2-2
12 of 18Week 12 will be an exciting one for NBA fans, as the Chicago Bulls will face playoff contenders in the New York Knicks and Miami Heat on March 12 and 14, respectively.
The Bulls will get revenge against the Knicks as they successfully prevent Carmelo Anthony's slashing into the lane.
Chicago still won't have an answer for the Heat. Miami's Dwyane Wade and LeBron James could each have 30-point nights, as the Bulls defense would be tired after containing Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire the previous game.
The Bulls then face the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers on March 16-17, so expect Chicago to split, as both teams will be competing for playoff spots.
Bulls record: 32-15
Week 13: Chicago Bulls Go 3-0
13 of 18The Chicago Bulls could be primed to sweep Week 13's three games.
The Bulls will be seeking revenge against the Orlando Magic in a March 19 road matchup. The Bulls will make adjustments to box out Dwight Howard more effectively to limit his defensive and offensive rebounds.
Limiting Howard will be key to a win, as the Magic have a weak roster outside of No. 12.
The Toronto Raptors then come a calling on the Bulls, as Chicago faces them March 21 and 24.
The Raptors do not have anyone that could scare an opposing team, so the Bulls should pick them apart with their depth.
Bulls record: 35-15
Week 14: Chicago Bulls Go 2-1
14 of 18The Chicago Bulls will enter the final month of the season with a three-game Week 14.
The Denver Nuggets come to Chicago on March 26 and will not be as strong as last year, as the Nuggets' Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith are stuck in China until mid-February to March. The Bulls should win due to the Nuggets lack of cohesiveness.
The Bulls then travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on March 28. Joe Johnson and the Hawks do not want to be swept by Chicago, so Atlanta will play its hardest and could upset the Bulls.
The dismal Detroit Pistons then roll into the United Center March 30 for the Bulls to beat up on.
Bulls record: 37-16
Week 15: Chicago Bulls Go 1-2
15 of 18Week 15 is extremely tough for the Chicago Bulls, as three teams with playoff hopes will be the challengers.
The young and up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder host the Bulls April 1 and should beat Chicago. The Thunder's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are explosive players, while their bench rivals the Bulls depth.
The Houston Rockets then come to Chicago April 2. Derrick Rose should have a field day against the Rockets' Courtney Lee and lead his Bulls to victory.
Another epic showdown with the Boston Celtics will be played April 5 in Chicago. Boston is a tough foe and will overcome the Bulls to win the season series 3-1.
Bulls record: 38-18
Week 16: Chicago Bulls Go 2-1
16 of 18The Chicago Bulls' stretch run gets even tougher during Week 16.
The Bulls face the New York Knicks on April 8 and 10, so expect the teams to split.
Then, the Miami Heat come to town April 12 with the Bulls motivated to finally bring them down. With positioning for the Eastern Conference playoffs on the line and its fans, Chicago will overcome the Heat as they frustrate LeBron James with traps and clog up his passing lanes.
Bulls record: 40-19
Week 17: Chicago Bulls Go 3-2
17 of 18Week 17 has five games with three road games and two elite teams.
The Chicago Bulls will face the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards April 15-16 while facing the Charlotte Bobcats April 18. The Bulls should win two out of three, with one of the underdogs stealing a game to avoid a seasonal sweep.
Then, the big boys roll around as the Bulls face the Miami Heat on the road April 19 and the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks April 21 at home. The Bulls compete well against top competition, but it will be hard to win two straight. Expect a split.
Bulls record: 43-21
Week 18: Chicago Bulls Go 2-0
18 of 18The Chicago Bulls have a gift two games the final week after surviving back-to-back battles with the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks.
The Indiana Pacers should be battling for a playoff spot, but the Bulls are the superior team and should have this road win April 25.
The next day, the Bulls end their regular season at home against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is probably looking forward to the offseason. Bulls roll in this one.
Bulls record: 45-21
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