For what seems like forever, the Chicago Bulls have been hovering just a few games below.500. The Bulls stumbled to a 5-14 record to open the season, but things turned around after that. Chicago appeared to have a chance to move up the rankings, but they have been stuck in ninth position for some time now.
On Thursday night, Chicago faced the Los Angeles Clippers in an attempt to drop one game below.500, but they were unable to overcome the Clippers, who defeated them 126-111. With the setback, the Bulls’ record dropped to 32-35, and they aren’t exhibiting any indications that they can go closer to the postseason.
The Bulls would be in the play-in tournament if the season ended today. Following Thursday’s defeat, a question about the team’s inability to raise their ranking and get closer to the postseason rather than the play-in round was posed to head coach Billy Donovan. Donovan thinks the Bulls’ inability to find consistency has been caused by the injuries. Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Coby White, and other players are not with them at the moment.
Following the game, Billy Donovan addressed the reporters, saying, “The hard part for us has been guys being in and out and not being whole.” “Needing to rely on different men in various circumstances. I felt that Ayo [Dosunmu] had a terrific learning experience tonight. He could have attempted to produce more closeouts for some players and generate more downhill in this game, in my opinion, so I believe he can improve greatly. We’ve had to rely on the other guys, like Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Coby White, so sometimes we’re fighting for consistency. Finding that constancy is what we need to do.
It appears improbable that the Bulls will be able to break into the top six at this time. With fifteen games remaining, they are five points behind sixth place. It appears that the Bulls will once again be forced to play in.