Clippers Sonics Blazers Jazz Kings Warriors Suns Jan. 31 Clippers- We will be coming into this game well rested, having the previous three nights off. I expect the Bulls to come out with full force against the Clippers, and come out with an early lead. The Clippers have really gotten their season back on track, they have one I believe eight of their last ten games, and are playing some really good basketball with the Maggette situation straightened out and Cassel starting once again. However, I believe we will start the trip off with a win 98-90. Feb. 2 Sonics- The Sonics have struggled all season long, but are still a tough team to match up against due to the presence of Allen and Lewis. I think this will be one of those games where we will fall behind early, play our selfs back into it, but end up on the short end of the stick. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think we will step up to the plate, having only one day to rest between travel from Los Angeles to Seattle, lose 101-97. Feb. 3 Blazers- The Blazers, to me are the Bulls before Skiles/Paxson. They have so much talent and youth, but need some time to develop. They have a good coach, but the environment is not one you would want to have so many young guys in. They are a tough team regardless, and coming into this having played a game the previous night, it will be tough for the Bulls to pull out a win, we rely so much on our jump shots going in, the players will be too tired to sink them on this night, lose 90-78. Feb. 5 Jazz- This will be a revenge game against the Jazz. The Bulls have stepped up all season against tough competition, but were embarrassed by the Jazz a couple days ago at home. I expect Gordon to go off in this contest, and the Bulls to pull out a big win 100-89. Feb. 8 Kings- Sacramento is one of the teams that scare me. They don't look good on paper, but have the talent to win a game on any given night. Artest has struggled all season, but the development of Kevin Martin has kept them a float. Who knows what their team will look like when we play them or if those players will even be there, but I expect this to be a tough ugly win 92-85 (at least I hope). Feb. 9 Warriors- After having played the Kings the previous night the Bulls will fly across the bay to face the new look Warriors. The Warriors have played some impressive basketball since the trade, and with all the offensive fire power they have (Ellis, Davis, Harrington, etc.) it will be a tough game. I think this one can go either way, although, it is a back to back, they are not traveling far and will be able to get some rest. I'm bias though so 105-101 win. Feb. 11 Suns- The big rematch. The Bulls lost in a heart breaker at home against the Suns when Barbosa hit a game winner. I would love to say we will get some revenge against them in this game, but I'm really not sure. The Suns are playing the best basketball in the league, and are rested at home. I think this one might get ugly, lose 108-92 Final Record- 4-3
I'm predicting around the same though I believe they will beat the Blazers and the Sonics, but lose to the Jazz. I also think they can beat Phoenix in a close game.
Clippers - Win Sonics - Win Blazers - Win Jazz - Lose (they seem to have it over us) Kings - Lose Warriors - Win Suns - Lose 4 and 3 as a minimum and I'd be happy.
The reason I believe our road record is so poor on the road this season is due to the fact that when we go on the road it isn't for just two games at a time, but a bundle of games. For reference look at this upcoming road trip, as well as the circus road trip. If we played two or three games on the road at a time then returned home I believe our road record would look much better. Its a real deceiving record, and not really indicative of how good our team has/can be.
I think we can go 5-2 or 6-1, with the worry games being the Suns and Jazz. The Suns are playing the best basketball in the league right now and might not even lose between now and time we meet them (though how sweet would it be to snap that streak), while the Jazz have been mostly consistent all day long. Plus, with the injury to Wallace and not knowing completely when he'll return, the Jazz could murder us down low. Boozer has been a force to be reckoned with all season, playing the best ball of his career, and Okur has been very good as well. So, if I'm a betting man, I go with 5-2, potentially 6-1 if Wallace is back for the Jazz game (though I heard he had a knee sprain, and Odom just missed a month and a half because of the same thing).
