This year’s version of the in-season tournament should be viewed as a success even though it did not go to the 2024 NBA Cup Knockout Rounds. The Chicago Bulls lost all four of their games by an average of 12.0 points last season, going winless. In the previous season’s in-season tournament, the Bulls scored a league-low 102.3 points per game.
Chicago finished 2-2 in the NBA Cup this season, losing to the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers and winning against the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards. Chicago’s final difference of -6 points was a significant improvement over the minus-48 disparity of the previous season.
Four games in the in-season tournament showcased the Bulls’ thrilling offense. Chicago scored 129.5 points per game on average, which was league-high. The Bulls are third in three-point shooting and lead the NBA in field goal percentage. The two losses resulted from the Bulls’ vulnerable defense being exposed, despite their outstanding offensive output. Chicago only forced 11.8 turnovers per game, which is second-worst in the NBA, and let up a league-worst 128.0 points.
It may surprise you to learn that the two teams Chicago defeated will not be participating in the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds. Cleveland placed third in Group C, while Boston came in second. Unsurprisingly, given that the NBA’s top two teams are the Celtics and Cavaliers. With a 3-1 record and only a loss to Chicago, the Hawks emerged victorious from Group C. On December 11, the Hawks will play the New York Knicks, who won Group A.
Toronto and Charlotte are Chicago’s most recent rivals.
In place of the NBA Cup’s advanced stages, the Bulls added two games to their schedule rather than sitting idly by during the Knockout Rounds. It was revealed that Chicago will play the Toronto Raptors at 6:30 p.m. CT on December 16 and the Charlotte Hornets at 7:00 p.m. CT on December 13.
The Bulls’ schedule for the next two weeks will consist of just four games after their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. With just 16 NBA games scheduled from December 9 to December 13 before the Semifinals on Saturday, December 14, and the Championship on December 17, all eyes will be on the NBA Cup.
The Bulls’ games against Toronto and Charlotte resulted in a fortunate draw. Their December schedule consists of back-to-back games against the Boston Celtics, the defending champions, and the rising Hawks, with games against the Milwaukee Bucks in between.
LaMelo Ball, the Hornets’ top player, is probably going to miss the game since he strained his left calf on November 27. Naturally, Charlotte has lost all of their games since Ball went down. The Raptors are currently 7-15 and have the sixth-worst record in the NBA, so the fight in Toronto won’t be easy.
