Chicago Bulls Report

2012-13 schedule: Game-by-game picks

July, 26, 2012

7/26/12

6:18

PM CT

By Nick Friedell | ESPNChicago.com

Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty ImagesTom Thibodeau is in for a challenging season leading the Bulls.

CHICAGO -- Trying to predict wins and losses during any NBA season is like picking lotto numbers. People would like to think they have a pretty good idea of what might pop up, but on any given night, something strange can happen in the league.

A team might be tired, it might be hurt, it might have gotten in late because of travel trouble. But as Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau always likes to point out, his team can always find an excuse if it wants one. With Derrick Rose likely out for a chunk of the season, and Luol Deng possibly out for three to four months if he decides to have wrist surgery, the Bulls' schedule is even more impossible to predict than ever.

Having said that, I'm banking on Thibodeau finding a way to motivate his team and get them to focus in harder than ever. I still believe the Bulls can be successful this season because Thibodeau will not let his team roll over.

With that in mind, let's take a look at how the Bulls, despite all the uncertainties facing them this year, can still reach 50 wins ...

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

Date	Opponent	W/L	Comment
Oct. 31	vs. Kings	W	The Bulls start off the season in style.
Nov. 2	at Cavaliers	L	The Kyrie Irving/Dion Waiters backcourt is going to be dynamic once they mature.
Nov. 3	Hornets	W	Anthony Davis' return home is spoiled by Joakim Noah
Nov. 6	Magic	W	Will Dwight Howard even be on the Magic at this point?
Nov. 8	Thunder	L	Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are too much without Rose.
Nov. 10	Timberwolves	W	The Wolves are getting better, but they still aren't very good.
Nov. 12	Celtics	W	Carlos Boozer had one of this best games of the season last year against the Celtics.
Nov. 14	at Suns	W	The Bulls didn't play in Phoenix last season. They will enjoy it even more without Steve Nash.
Nov. 17	at Clippers	L	Chris Paul is too much for Kirk Hinrich.
Nov. 18	at Trail Blazers	L	When was the last time the Bulls played well in Portland?
Nov. 21	at Rockets	W	Seeing Omer Asik again fires up his old teammates.
Nov. 24	at Bucks	W	Rose or not, Bulls can still win in their second home.
Nov. 26	Bucks	W	Noah and Boozer should have another big game against Bucks.
Nov. 28	Mavericks	W	This isn't the Mavericks team from two years ago.

DECEMBER

Date	Opponent	W/L	Comment
Dec. 1	76ers	W	The Bulls face the Sixers for first time since playoffs.
Dec. 4	Pacers	L	Rose won't be there to save the Bulls from an improving Indy squad.
Dec. 5	at Cavaliers	W	Rip Hamilton can still go off for 20 points at times.
Dec. 7	at Pistons	W	The Pistons don't have more than enough to win with.
Dec. 8	Knicks	L	Carmelo and the Knicks go off on a three point barrage.
Dec. 11	Clippers	W	Taj Gibson will be called upon for a lot of defense on Blake Griffin.
Dec. 12	at 76ers	L	Thibs has nightmares about being in Philly last spring.
Dec. 15	Nets	W	Joe Johnson is making how much?
Dec. 17	at Grizzlies	L	Rudy Gay races the Grizz up and down the floor.
Dec. 18	Celtics	W	Thibs always enjoys going against Doc.
Dec. 21	at Knicks	L	The Garden is not a good place for the Bulls to go without Rose.
Dec. 22	at Hawks	L	Al Horford gets the better of Noah on this night.
Dec. 25	Rockets	W	Christmas comes with a win for Thibs.
Dec. 26	Pacers	L	The night after Christmas? Against a good team? Not a good combo.
Dec. 29	Wizards	W	The Wizards are a little better this year, but not much.
Dec. 31	Bobcats	W	The Bobcats still stink.

JANUARY

Date	Opponent	W/L	Comment
Jan. 2	at Magic	W	Seriously, who is on the Magic right now?
Jan. 4	at Heat	L	LeBron + Wade + Bosh > Hinrich, Boozer, Noah
Jan. 7	Cavaliers	W	Jimmy Butler starts to gain more confidence in himself.
Jan. 9	Bucks	W	The depleted Bulls still have enough to knock off Brandon Jennings and co.
Jan. 11	at Knicks	L	A potential first round matchup?
Jan. 12	Suns	W	What are the Suns doing?
Jan. 14	Hawks	W	Will Josh Smith stay in Atlanta?
Jan. 16	at Raptors	W	Is the Carlton Dance popular in Toronto by now?
Jan. 18	at Celtics	L	Kevin Garnett enjoys beating the Bulls.
Jan. 19	Grizzlies	W	Is Nazr a fan favorite yet?
Jan. 21	Lakers	W	Bulls find more in the tank at the end against marquee opponent.
Jan. 23	Pistons	W	Thibs has his team playing solid basketball.
Jan. 25	Warriors	L	Bulls can't keep up with Warriors' pace.
Jan. 26	at Wizards	W	They're still the Wiz ...
Jan. 28	Bobcats	W	Will MJ be there?
Jan. 30	at Bucks	L	Bulls can't win them all in Milwaukee.

FEBRUARY

Date	Opponent	W/L	Comment
Feb. 1	at Nets	L	Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are finding some rhythm together.
Feb. 2	at Hawks	L	The Bulls have struggled in Atlanta in the last couple of years at times.
Feb. 7	at Nuggets	L	Thibs isn't going to like a three game losing streak.
Feb. 8	at Jazz	W	A tough win in a tough place to win.
Feb. 11	Spurs	L	Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are too much.
Feb. 13	at Celtics	L	Paul Pierce runs around Rip Hamilton.
Feb. 19	at Hornets	W	Bulls get back on track after All-Star break.
Feb. 21	Heat	W	Could this be around the time Rose returns ...
Feb. 22	at Bobcats	W	At least the LadyCats will be in attendance.
Feb. 24	at Thunder	L	The Thunder will run the Bulls up and down the floor.
Feb. 26	Cavaliers	W	The Cavs are getting better, just not enough on this night.
Feb. 28	76ers	W	Doug Collins does not have another happy return.

MARCH

Date	Opponent	W/L	Comment
March 2	Nets	W	Rose and Deng are back together again.
March 3	at Pacers	L	Danny Granger and his teammates want to make a name for themselves.
March 6	at Spurs	L	Bulls got a big win in San Antonio. Not this time around.
March 8	Jazz	W	Does Thibs have a new contract at this point?
March 10	at Lakers	L	Lakers want revenge from last season.
March 13	at Kings	W	DeMarcus Cousins has a big night, but it's not enough.
March 15	at Warriors	L	Seriously, when was the last time the Bulls played well in Oakland?
March 18	Nuggets	W	Rose is starting to feel better and it shows on the floor.
March 21	Trail Blazers	L	The Blazers win again at the United Center.
March 23	Pacers	W	Deng has a solid night and gets his team back on track.
March 24	at Timberwolves	W	Bulls fans wonder when Kevin Love will come to Chicago ...
March 27	Heat	L	LeBron vs. Rose. It's the matchup NBA fans figured they would see last spring.
March 30	at Mavericks	L	Dirk is still one of the best players in the league.

APRIL

Date	Opponent	W/L	Comment
April 2	at Wizards	W	John Wall still hasn't turned into the player everyone wants him to be.
April 4	at Nets	W	Rose loves the challenge of facing Deron Williams.
April 5	Magic	W	Yeah, it's a down year for the Magic.
April 7	at Pistons	L	The Bulls can't win every game against the Pistons ... can they?
April 9	Raptors	W	Thibs likes the way his team is playing down the stretch.
April 11	Knicks	W	Chandler vs. Noah proves to be a good defensive battle.
April 12	at Raptors	L	The Bulls hot streak is slowed down against a young Raptors team.
April 14	at Heat	L	LeBron sends a message before the playoffs begin.
April 15	at Magic	W	Taj Gibson continues his solid play.
April 17	Wizards	W	Bulls close out the regular season with a solid win.

PROJECTED FINAL RECORD: 50-32

Nick Friedell | email

Chicago Bulls beat reporter

Nick Friedell is the Chicago Bulls beat reporter for ESPN Chicago. Friedell is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and joined ESPNChicago.com for its launch in April 2009.

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Nick Friedell, Chicago Bulls, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Tom Thibodeau, Carlos Boozer

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BULLS REVIEWS

Nick Friedell reviews the seasons for every Bull and looks at how they fit into the team's future plans.

May 20 -- Jimmy Butler
May 21 -- Taj Gibson
May 22 -- Joakim Noah
May 23 -- Carlos Boozer
May 24 -- Nazr Mohammed
May 26 -- Daequan Cook
May 27 -- Vladimir Radmanovic
May 28 -- Marquis Teague
May 29 -- Marco Belinelli
May 30 -- Kirk Hinrich
May 31 -- Nate Robinson
June 3 -- Rip Hamilton
June 4 -- Derrick Rose
June 5 -- Luol Deng
June 6 -- Tom Thibodeau
June 7 -- Gar Forman

PLAYOFFS - Final

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
	21	32	24	14	91	» Recap » Box Score » » Conversation
	30	17	22	25	94	» Recap » Box Score » » Conversation
Points » C. Boozer (CHI) 26 points Rebounds » C. Boozer (CHI) 14 rebounds Assists » L. James (MIA) 8 assists