Hoops Habit
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NBA Teams Making the Postseason Hunt Interesting

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with forward Taj Gibson (22) during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with forward Taj Gibson (22) during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls

Record: 36-33

Last 10: 6-4

Current Seed: No. 8

Current Streak: Won 3

Previously viewed as a lock to make the playoffs in 2016, the Chicago Bulls are now fighting for their postseason life. Chicago is 36-33, holding the advantage over the No. 9 seed by a win percentage point, and the No. 10 seed by just 1.5 games with 13 outings remaining.

A healthy Jimmy Butler could change the entire trajectory of Chicago’s season, especially with Derrick Rose beginning to play like his old self again.

Whether or not Rose plays at a high level, Chicago absolutely needs Butler to remain healthy until season’s end.

With Butler in the lineup, the Bulls are 31-23 in 2015-16, which can be equated to a 47-35 record based on win percentage. Without Butler, Chicago falls to 5-10, which is only good for a mark of 27-55—quite the drastic decline for the championship-hungry Bulls.

The question is, with or without Butler, how long can Chicago realistically go without succumbing to its painfully erratic play?

That number is greatly influenced by the time that Butler missed, but inconsistency has been a season-long problem. Chicago is just as capable of defeating one of the top teams in the NBA as it is losing to one of its very worst.

The pressure is on for Fred Hoiberg in the team’s first postseason push without Tom Thibodeau—a man who led Chicago to the playoffs in all five of his seasons at the helm.

Next: Eastern Conference, No. 2