Bulls Enter Grueling Four-Game Stretch That Could Shape Their Season
The Chicago Bulls are staring down one of the most demanding stretches of their season - four games in five days, a scheduling quirk born out of that bizarre wet-floor postponement against the Miami Heat earlier this month. Now, the makeup game has turned what was already a tough week into a true test of depth, endurance, and adaptability.
Let’s break it down: two back-to-backs, including a rare three-game series against the Heat. First, the Bulls hit the road to face the Pacers tonight, then return home immediately to host Miami. After that, it’s a quick turnaround to South Beach for back-to-back games against the Heat on January 31 and February 1.
That’s not just a scheduling oddity - it’s history. This will mark the first time since 1972 that two teams have played three straight regular-season games against each other.
Back then, it was the Baltimore Bullets and Houston Rockets. Now, it’s Bulls-Heat - a matchup that’s grown into something of a postseason tradition, with Chicago eliminating Miami in the Play-In tournament three years running.
Giddey Returns, Rotation Questions Loom
Josh Giddey is back from his calf strain and slowly ramping up. He’s averaged about 26 minutes since his return, including 28 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Lakers - a game that snapped the Bulls’ four-game win streak. More importantly, Giddey said he felt good afterward, which is a strong sign that he’s ready for a heavier load.
All signs point to Giddey returning to the starting lineup tonight in Indiana, where he’s expected to start alongside Coby White in the backcourt - a pairing we haven’t seen yet this season. But with both players recently coming off injuries, the coaching staff will need to carefully manage their minutes across this grueling stretch.
One possible solution? Stagger their starts.
Head coach Billy Donovan could opt to start Ayo Dosunmu - who’s quietly having a career year - and bring either Giddey or White off the bench. It’s not a demotion; it’s strategy.
The Bulls lead the league in bench production, and this kind of rotational flexibility has been one of their calling cards all season. Giddey or White could still log heavy minutes while giving the team a different look when the second unit checks in.
With Tre Jones still sidelined by a hamstring injury, Dosunmu and Giddey could share ball-handling duties, replicating White’s playmaking presence in the starting group. It’s a luxury to have that kind of versatility - a testament to the Bulls’ roster depth and the development of their fringe starters.
Frontcourt Holding Steady Amid Injuries
Up front, Jalen Smith has stepped into a critical role with Zach Collins out, and he’s been holding his own. Donovan has leaned on a double-big lineup featuring Smith and Nikola Vučević, and that pairing is likely to stick around, especially with Miami’s physical frontcourt of Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware looming.
That frontcourt battle will be one to watch across all three Heat games. Vučević and Smith will need to be sharp - not just defensively, but in how they space the floor and control the glass.
The Heat thrive on second-chance points and gritty interior play. Chicago’s bigs will have to match that intensity possession by possession.
Depth Will Be Tested - and Spotlighted
This stretch isn’t just about the stars. It’s about the guys who fill in the gaps.
Jevon Carter, Dalen Terry, and Julian Phillips could all see a bump in minutes, and don’t be surprised if we see more of Lachlan Olbrich, the G League call-up who got some run against the Lakers. With four games in five nights, every minute matters - and every body counts.
The Bulls have built a roster that can absorb injuries and adapt on the fly. Now, they’ll need to prove it.
This isn’t just a tough week - it’s a potential turning point. These games could shape their Play-In seeding, test their chemistry, and reveal just how far this group can go when the schedule gets unforgiving.
One thing’s for sure: the Bulls are about to find out what they’re made of.