'Tis the Time to Turn it Around
I wouldn't say the Bulls are completely in sync yet, but they have played a little better the last week or so... that said, the upcoming schedule is a favorable one, and I really think a nice win streak starts tonight against Seattle. The Bulls won both meetings last season.
I feel tonight is a very win-able game, despite the Bulls shooting woes lately, mainly due to Seattle's inability to find their identity with new star Kevin Durant. The Sonics have won 3 of their last 4, but are only 5-16 on the season. If the Bulls stop Durant, who's leading all NBA rookies with a 20.3 average, they should have enough to get within a game of .500 at home (3-5 going into tonight.)
Tomorrow night, the Bulls face an Indiana (10-10) team on the road that isn't really in tune yet, either. The Pacers are also dealing with another Jamaal Tinsley "distraction," and hopefully the Bulls can continue their past successes against Indiana.
Friday... the Bulls come home to play the Knicks and I look for them to really be up for it. I don't think they were game-ready when they faced them at the Garden at the end of the "circus trip" and I don't think they'll make the same mistake again.
After a couple of days off, the Bulls could realistically be on a 3-game win streak when they meet the Lakers next Tuesday night... their toughest opponent during this stretch. We were right in the middle of "Kobe Gate" during the first meeting with the Lakers in L.A. and it resulted in a Laker blowout. Thankfully, that situation has resolved itself, and it should be a different Bulls' team Phil Jackson and company sees next week at the UC.
4-0 streak? Maybe. If not, their 4th win may come the following night in Washington against a Wizards team who is facing the rest of the season without their star Gilbert Arenas.
December has been nice to the Bulls the past few years, hopefully history repeats itself!
Red