Something would have to go catastrophically wrong for the Chicago Bulls not to play at least one game beyond the regular season. They currently reside as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, placing them in the Play-In Tournament for a third consecutive season. Each of the previous two years resulted in losses to the Miami Heat, ending a potential playoff run abruptly. This year, they are currently in line to host Miami in the first game following the conclusion of the regular season. With eight games left, can they move up or down in the standings, and what do the following eight opponents look like?
Controlling Their Own Destiny
Down the final stretch of another sporadic season in Chicago, they're in the driver's seat for Play-In Tournament seeding. They are seven games behind the sixth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, so they'd need to go undefeated the rest of the way and have the three teams ahead of them lose the remainder of their games to avoid the tournament altogether. Common sense says that is not happening. What is possible, however, is catching the Orlando Magic or Atlanta Hawks, who they trail by two and a half games and three games, respectively. This would skyrocket their chances of surviving the mini-tournament, granting them a second life as the seventh or eighth-seeded team. As the nine or ten, the first game is a win-or-go-home scenario.
How did they do it??? If you've been paying close attention, you'll know that the Bulls have been the best 4th quarter team in the NBA the last couple of weeks. I would NOT want to be the team that has to face them in the Play-In/Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/aZk19uQ5Bt
— Ross Pins (@chisportsross) March 28, 2025
Weak Remaining Schedule
In their attempt to push for a higher seed over the last stretch, Chicago boasts one of the easiest remaining schedules. They will only see two playoff teams, although they are the two top-seeded teams in the league in Cleveland and Oklahoma City, and the last six foes should all see the Bulls as favorites. These games include a potential Play-In preview against the Miami Heat, giving a good idea of where the team is headed into postseason contention. At best, the Bulls will force their way into the seventh or eighth seed, but more than likely, they will be the ninth or tenth seed when it's said and done. Miami has the same record right now, and the two will be fighting for the right to host the matchup in the Play-In tourney.
Karnišovas clarifies this: Says he won’t stand in way of young players making playoff run, said that’s sign of development and growth. Understands if they don’t make playoffs, their draft pick can be better. https://t.co/6aq8fLiPis
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 6, 2025
Unfortunately for the Bulls, the Hawks, Heat, and Magic also have some of the weakest remaining schedules. A hot streak like the one over the last two weeks might be needed if Chicago will maneuver their way up the standings or retain their current positioning. Can Josh Giddey and Coby White continue their heroics and carry this team to the playoffs?
