No end in sight for losing streak
The Bulls turned in their best performance of a four-game losing streak on Saturday, but still didn’t come very close to stopping Dallas’ 11-game win streak.
With center Joakim Noah out for at least three weeks with a sore foot, it’s tough to tell when this skid will end. The Bulls host Utah on Tuesday, then go on the road for four straight at Orlando, Miami, Memphis and Dallas. When that’s over, they host Cleveland, then visit Philadelphia for what will be their fourth game in five nights.
Am I suggesting a 10- or 11-game losing streak is possible? It appears so, but sometimes the Bulls can surprise just when people are counting them out. The five-game road winning streak in late January is an example, but they were relatively healthy back then.
Whether they end the streak or not on Tuesday, we should expect the Bulls to fall out of playoff position soon. They are back in eighth place at the moment, a half-game ahead of Charlotte.
They’ll need a big finish to reach the postseason and the schedule does cooperate. The final 13 games are much more reasonable for the Bulls and that’s around the time Noah will try to return. How much he’ll be able to play is anyone’s guess, of course.
Anyway, the Bulls play eight of their final 13 at home. Except for another date with the Cavs, the home games are reasonable, while the toughest road opponents are Toronto and Charlotte.
--My only question about Saturday’s game is why James Johnson didn’t get a longer run? He played just over four minutes, but contributed 4 points and a block. Chris Richard was also good in limited minutes. Maybe this will bode well for Tuesday.
The schedule has 10 here 10 on the road, which should be good for the Bulls...BUT. OF those 10 here..2 with the Cavs,1 each with Utah, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Charlotte, Boston, and that other 3 game homestand with NJ, MIA, HOU..the Bulls will find a way to lose one of those. From here out predicted records..on road 4-6 at home 4-6, will 39-43 be good enough for a playoff spot..Vinny and Company better hope so.
Why did Vinny play Deng so many minutes when he was hurting and not producing? Close to zero offensive production from him in a 6 point loss tells me the Bulls may have won this game with better numbers out of the 3 position. Bite the bullet, and sit him until he is healthy and can contribute. I gotta believe Johnson should have gotten 25-30 min.
I just don't expect much out of these Bulls because I don't think they're tough enough mentally. When do they play their best? After a losing streak and everybody's written them off so there's no pressure on them. Then they'll put together a nice little winning streak and create some expectation and they go into the dumper again.