The Chicago Bulls kick off the 2023-24 season with a house sport in opposition to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 25, then host the Toronto Raptors two days later earlier than embarking on their first journey of the yr.
Last season’s opener took a left flip for the Bulls when Zach LaVine was named a late scratch as a result of load administration — which LaVine and coach Billy Donovan insisted was deliberate within the preseason — as he eased again from a left knee harm. LaVine went on to file one of many strongest seasons of his profession, and he’ll want to enhance upon that efficiency after the Bulls retained the vast majority of their roster to give attention to their maximum-contract star.
The focus of the house opener doubtless will land on who nabbed the place to begin guard job — maybe new signing Jevon Carter, who joined the Bulls from the Milwaukee Bucks. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu additionally shall be vying for the place.
Here are some key dates for the season.
Nov. 3: First sport of the In-Season Tournament
The Bulls will play their first sport of the inaugural event in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 3, the primary of 4 video games in opposition to their Eastern Conference Group C opponents. They additionally will face the Orlando Magic on Nov. 17, the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 24 and the Boston Celtics on Nov. 28.
The winner of East Group C — and one different wild-card staff from the East — will advance to the knockout spherical of the event.
Nov. 13: First outing in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks
Facing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks all the time shall be a must-win — and must-watch — sport for the Bulls, who will head north for his or her first matchup in opposition to their regional foe. The groups break up their four-game sequence final season.
Dec. 12: Bulls host the reigning champs
The new-car odor can have lengthy worn off the championship gear when Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets come to city — however the reigning champs nonetheless shall be a measuring put up for the remainder of the league. The Bulls additionally play the Nuggets on Nov. 4 in Denver.
Dec. 14 and 16: Double responsibility in Miami
The Bulls load up in opposition to the Heat in a pair of video games in three days. The final time the groups noticed one another, the Heat edged the Bulls in a comeback win within the play-in event for the final playoff spot within the East — then went on an underdog tear because the No. 8 seed all the way in which to the Finals, the place they fell to the Denver Nuggets in 5 video games.
Dec. 21: Victor Wembanyama involves city
The extremely touted rookie will make his first look on the United Center when the Bulls host the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama was chosen with the No. 1 decide after a season of towering expectations constructed round his 7-foot-5 body — however he’ll have to attend till the common season to show if he can dwell as much as the hype.
Feb. 18: All-Star weekend wraps up in Indianapolis
Indianapolis will host All-Star Weekend, which can happen Feb. 16-18. The Bulls despatched two gamers to All-Star Weekend final season in Salt Lake City: DeMar DeRozan as an East reserve for his sixth look total and Ayo Dosunmu as a last-minute alternative for the Rising Stars sport.
LaVine, who had a standout second half final season, shall be eyeing his third All-Star choice.
March 23: Home stand in opposition to Boston Celtics
The Celtics seem to pose one of many hardest assessments within the East but once more, retaining the majority of their stars together with Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Less than 4 weeks forward of the playoffs, this sport shall be an ideal litmus check for the Bulls — in the event that they’re in place to make the postseason.
It would be the third matchup between the groups, who meet Nov. 28 in Boston and Feb. 22 on the United Center.
April 11-14: 3-game street dash to the end
The Bulls will face a difficult closing stretch if they should clinch a postseason spot within the final three video games of the season.
The dash begins with back-to-back nights in opposition to the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards on April 11 and 12 and ends in opposition to the Knicks in New York to cap regular-season play.
None of those three opponents are anticipated to be world-beaters, however the bodily toll of journey will add a hurdle to beat.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com