NBA Insider Details Their Projection For Chicago Bulls Heading Into The Playoffs
This season, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the surprising teams after the additions of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso this past off-season. With those additions, the Bulls have gotten off to a hot start accumulating a 24-10 record landing them first in the Eastern Conference at this point.
All with this hot start, DeMar DeRozan, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant are early favorites for this year’s MVP award.
Recently, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps was a guest on the Radio Roulette, NBA Postgame Show hosted by Rob Perez. During this appearance, Bontemps was asked to share his project for the Chicago Bulls heading into the playoffs and how far they can go.
“When the Bulls get into the playoff, how far they go is going to come down to how well they guard. It is still the same question. When are playing Zach [LaVine], DeMar [DeRozan], [Nikola] Vucevic 40 minutes each, probably a game in the playoffs, right? You are expecting all of those guys to put up 25 points a game or so,” said Bontemps.
“So, that will make up for what those guys need around them is guys that can guard and don’t need the ball. Right? Which they basically have. You got Lonzo [Ball], [Alex] Caruso, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr, and ideally, they can add another guy with some size who can play… So, I don’t think the Bulls will have trouble scoring, and obviously, I don’t think they will have trouble stopping people either because their defense is the x-factor for them. Not their bench scoring.”
On Saturday night, the Bulls were able to collect their seventh straight victory after another buzzer-beater by DeRozan against the Washington Wizards. After the game, he spoke with the media.
“Just to hit a buzzer-beater, in general, is amazing, especially when you do it on the road,” DeRozan said. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m dreaming. If it’s real right now.”
He added: “It’s just an honor to be trusted in the fourth quarter. Whether things are going good or going bad, my team, teammates always leaned on me to be that calm presence to bring us home. I always bring that calm presence as much as I can in the fourth quarter, letting guys understand, as long we got time we got a chance.”
Up next for the Bulls is the Orlando Magic at home in the United Center on Monday at 8 PM EST.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
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