In the this short NBA season, the Bulls have won two games, both at home, and lost three, all away. It's tough to draw conclusions from this small of a sample size, but this much is clear: the Bulls have a better shot when they sleep in their own beds before a game then at a hotel. Knowing this makes the annual circus trip even more daunting.
The "circus trip," the November road trip necessitated by the arrival of the Ringling Bros./Barnum and Bailey Circus to the United Center, is a large part of Bulls lore. Historically, it's killed them. The past two seasons, they have gone 1-6 while avoiding elephants and clowns. The 1996 team, arguably one of the best basketball teams of all time, even lost two games on this jaunt. This trip, which includes games against the Lakers, Utah, San Antonio and Philadelphia doesn't appear to be any easier. If they perform as they have in the past, the Bulls will have the unenviable role of digging themselves out of the Eastern Conference basement before even hitting Christmas.
So if Vinny Del Negro's crew wants to hit the circus trip with some momentum, they need to take advantage of the home games ahead of them. Tonight, they start a five game home stretch with a game against Phoenix. The Suns have started hot, losing just one game so far this season. After Phoenix tonight, the Bulls get another shot at the Cavaliers Saturday after losing to them 107-93 on Wednesday in Cleveland. They round out the home stand with the unbeaten Hawks on Tuesday, Dallas on Thursday and the Pacers next Saturday. Each of these games are will prevent challenges -- well, maybe not Indiana -- but the Bulls have to take advantage of being in front of a home town crowd while they can. Otherwise, they will be out of the playoff picture before the season really starts.
