Scoreboard Watching: The Battle for a Play-In Tournament Spot is Still Alive and Well

As the season begins to wind down, and the Bulls are still very much in the mix for some postseason basketball (thanks to a crappy Eastern Conference), it’s about time we keep a closer eye on the standings.

East Standings:

(1) 76ers – 37-17
(2) Nets – 37-17
(3) Bucks – 33-20
(4) Hawks – 30-25
(5) Celtics – 29-26
(6) Heat – 28-26
(7) Hornets – 27-26 (9.5 GB)
(8) Knicks – 28-27 (9.5 GB)
(9) Pacers – 25-28 (11.5 GB)
(10) Bulls – 22-31 (14.5 GB)
(11) Raptors – 21-34 (16.5 GB)
(12) Wizards – 20-33 (16.5 GB)
(13) Cavaliers – 19-34
(14) Magic – 17-37
(15) Pistons – 16-38

The bolded section feels especially susceptible to change over the next couple of weeks, and the Bulls are stationed not-so-comfortably in the thick of things. They have already partially failed to take advantage of their “easier” stretch of the second-half schedule, adding a three-game losing streak to the board with losses to the Hawks, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies. Fortunately, they did take care of business against the two teams that sit one spot in front of them and one spot behind them in the standings last week, which has helped them avoid any jump in the wrong direction.

Also working in the Bulls benefit is the Raptors remaining strength of schedule. According to Tankathon, Toronto has the 5th-hardest remaining regular-season slate compared to the Bulls’ 10th hardest SOS. The team has also recently shown a pretty interesting lack of urgency to slide into the play-in tournament, resting Kyle Lowry in what will now be back-to-back games and resting Pascal Siakam the other night against Cleveland. They have lost four of their last five games.

At the same time, maybe some additional rest is the smart thing to do. The team is only 2.0 games back of the Bulls, and maybe the more well-rested squad can make a better final push. If they are secretly in tank mode, however, the Bulls still aren’t safe from someone stealing their spot. The Washington Wizards have crept into the picture by winning three of their last four games. They are also now only 2.0 games back of Chicago with the 3rd-easiest remaining schedule in play. The next seven games for them are also all against opponents who sit under .500, soooo … watch out.

While the Bulls’ ability to stay in 10th during this three-game losing streak relieves some of the pain, they still missed a pretty gigantic opportunity to make up precious ground. Indiana has gotten in a groove as of late (have won three of last four), and their immediate upcoming schedule could help vault them into the 8 seed. The Rockets, Jazz, Hawks, Spurs, Thunder, Pistons, and Magic make up the next seven games, and it’s not crazy to think they could walk out of there with six wins.

With that being the case, the Bulls could actually find themselves chasing the Knicks before they know it. New York has the 6th-toughest remaining schedule, and they play a surging Pelicans team twice over the next three games with Luka Doncic sandwiched in between.

The most important thing is, ultimately, what the Bulls do over their own next chunk of games. Avoiding any more extended losing streaks is pivotal to stay within arms reach of a play-in tournament berth.

Cracking the top-6? Eh, that’s a different (unlikely) story …

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Best Defense of the Season, Playing Big, Javonte Green’s Instant Impact, and Other Bulls Bullets

Lose to the 14-win Wizards one game and hold the Pacers' elite offense to their worst performance of the season the next. Your 2023-24 Chicago Bulls, everyone! As I said in last night's Enhanced Box Score, I'm now even more...

WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

Latest News

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks are moneyline favorites (-230) to begin their season with a home win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Zac Gallen gets the starting nod for Arizona while Kyle Freeland is Colorado's...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners are moneyline favorites (-162) to begin their season with a home win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo starts for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane Bieber and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Damian Lillard must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, starting at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for three-pointers...

Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo make just a single 3-pointer when the Milwaukee Bucks play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his over/under for the game.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's...

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, CJ McCollum must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksCJ McCollum's over/under for three-pointers in...

Devils vs. Sabres Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The New Jersey Devils are -115 on the moneyline and the Buffalo Sabres are at -105 for their game on Friday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.Devils vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Devils (-115)Underdog: Sabres (-105)Total: 6.5Best Devils vs. Sabres Promo...

more bulls news