© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Key games for the Chicago Bulls during the last stretch of the regular season
The Chicago Bulls resume their drive toward a postseason berth on Thursday. The challenge to make it to the NBA Playoffs has become much harder with the recent news of Patrick Williams yet to ramp up his activities for a return to the court and the knee sprain suffered by Torrey Craig.
With 27 games left on Chicago’s regular season schedule, every game counts. According to a recent report, the Bulls have several key games that could make or break their chances of securing a spot in the playoffs.
Thursday’s rematch vs. the Boston Celtics
It’s tough luck for the Bulls to face off against the Celtics when they’re this undermanned. Without two key forwards, Chicago must rely on their backcourt duo of DeMar DeRozan and Coby White to carry the offensive load. Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu will also have their hands full trying to contain the Celtics’ All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
In addition, Chicago has an axe to grind against Boston, which defeated them by 27 points, 124-97, the last time these two squads met in late November.
“That game was rock bottom for the Bulls. They need to at least be competitive this time,” Joe Cowley wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times.
April 7 vs. the Orlando Magic
The Magic has had the Bulls’ number this season, winning all three match-ups by an average of four points. This game represents the Bulls’ last chance at closing the gap between them and Orlando, which is seeded eighth, one spot ahead of Chicago.
