Last November wasn’t kind to the Bulls.
That 6-8 record included an embarrassing home loss to the Magic, as well as two losses to the Pelicans within a week.
If the Bulls want to be able to make some noise in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, November will need to be cleaned up.
The league announced the matchup dates Tuesday, with the Bulls playing out of the East Group C.
The Bulls open tourney play Nov. 3 against the Nets at the United Center before hosting the Magic on Nov. 17. They will then play at the Raptors on Nov. 24 and try to advance to the eight-team knockout round by finishing group play at the Celtics on Nov. 28.
The six teams with the best records, as well as two wild-card teams, will come out of the East and West, with the knockout games to be played Dec. 4-5. The semifinals
(Dec. 7) and championship game (Dec. 9) will be played in Las Vegas.
Bulls vs. Nets, Nov. 3
The Bulls handled the Nets easily last year, winning the season series 3-1. That included a 131-87 laugher, which marked the debut of then-newly acquired point guard Patrick Beverley.
The Nets continued a roster facelift this summer, and all eyes will be on Ben Simmons to see if he can regain a once-respected game. If he can, the core of Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie might be interesting to watch.
Bulls vs. Magic, Nov. 17
Orlando has one of the more talented young rosters in the league, but that’s the rub — young. Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero is the real deal, and the backcourt is loaded with Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs.
If this group can grow up this season, the Magic could start being an issue for the rest of the league.
Bulls at Raptors, Nov. 24
It wasn’t that long ago that the Bulls went to Toronto and played a meaningful game.
Thanks to Zach LaVine playing hero ball in the second half and finishing with 39 points, the Bulls came back to win the first-round play-in game 109-105 in April.
The good news is the Raptors have taken a little step back, losing starting point guard Fred VanVleet in free agency. The bad news? Toronto still isn’t an easy place to play.
Bulls at Celtics, Nov. 28
Gone is Marcus Smart; in is big man Kristaps Porzingis.
Boston is the early favorite to win the tournament, so it will be a big obstacle for the Bulls to overcome. The teams split the four-game regular-season series last year, but things have changed in Beantown.
