For the first time in five years, the Chicago Bulls are in the NBA playoffs. But the road out of the first round will provide a momentous challenge for a team that has struggled since the All-Star break.
The top of the Eastern Conference is still packed tightly with three teams — the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks — jockeying for the second, third and fourth seeds behind the Miami Heat. As either the fifth or sixth seed, the Bulls know they’ll face one of those three teams in the opening round of the playoffs, which begins April 16.
All three potential opponents present an uphill climb for the Bulls, who enter their game Wednesday night against the Celtics at 1-9 against the trio. Here’s how the Bulls match up with the three.
