The Defense Cannot Rest
If the Bulls aren't the best defensive team in the East, they are in the team picture. Cleveland has comparable numbers in terms of PPG allowed, but when you look at all the categories...oppt FG percent, steals, blocks, etc., the Bulls are the best defensive team in the East right now.
And that has translated into a great record against their Eastern Conference opponents. And yet, no one is talking about the Bulls as a team that is going to threaten either the Pistons or the Heat (if Wade comes back)as one of the favorites to reach and/or win the Eastern Conference Finals.
Well, why not the Bulls?? They have a great record in the conference; 11-3 in the Central division - no one is better than that. They play tremendously well at home, especially against Eastern Conference competition.
If you look at potential play-off match-ups...against New Jersey the Bulls have blown big leads and lost, but NJ is a flawed team. Toronto does not have much play-off experience and Washington is intriguing, but doesn't play much defense.
I think defense wins at this time of year and that's why the Bulls have to be considered a strong team in the East.