Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons for optimism despite poor record

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 27: Lauri Markkanen #24 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Chicago Bulls high five during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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5. Recent success following All-Star break

Last season, the Bulls dropped 20 of their first 23 games. But thanks to a seven-game winning streak, they returned to a level of respectability, at least to some degree, anyways.

With all that has taken place this season, it would have reasonable to think that this team would not be able to duplicate that kind of success at any point. However, Chicago has managed to exceed expectations in this area as of late.

Surprisingly, the Bulls have posted five wins in their last six outings and they are 4-1 following the All-Star break. This includes an impressive 126-116 win over a Boston Celtics team that had defeated them by a 56-point margin earlier this season.

Who are these Bulls? Zach LaVine scores 42, Lauri Markkanen 35 — both career highs — in a 126-116 win over the Celtics, @KCJHoop writes.

Yes, those Celtics, who beat the Bulls by 56 on Dec. 8. https://t.co/FPp7sFdrpF pic.twitter.com/nKPjws87gA
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) February 24, 2019

To be objective, a couple of the wins during this stretch have come against a couple of non-playoff teams in the Memphis Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks.

Looking at their recent success from a positive standpoint, this stretch has proven that this team does have a pulse, which is significant because of the fact this group has lacked an edge as well as an identity for most of the season.

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