Bulls 2016-17 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Chicago Bulls are going to look a lot different when they take the court for the 2016-17 season. The roster underwent an offseason makeover, highlighted by the exit of Derrick Rose and the arrival of Dwyane Wade, as the front office looked to push the team back into contention. 

Rose and Wade weren’t the only high-profile moves during the summer, though. The Bulls also added Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez and Jerian Grant to a group led by Jimmy Butler while watching Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol leave during free agency.

The question is whether enough upgrades were made to get the franchise back into the playoffs after falling two games short last season. So let’s check out all of the key information following the schedule release along with a prediction for the upcoming campaign.

2016-17 Details

Season Opener: Oct. 27 vs. Boston Celtics

Championship Odds: 40-1 (via Odds Shark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Cleveland Cavaliers (Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. ET)

The Cavs are the biggest roadblock on Chicago’s path to success for the foreseeable future. The reigning NBA champions have won the Eastern Conference each of the past two years and also inhabit the Central Division alongside the Bulls.

While it’s unlikely Chicago has amassed enough talent to overtake Wade’s longtime buddy LeBron James and Co. quite yet, it should be a competitive season series. If nothing else, it’s the ultimate litmus test as the Bulls attempt to prove they can make a deep run.

Jim Weber of Lost Lettermen projects them both as top-four seeds in the East:

What would you guess for East seeds next season 1. Cavs 2. Celtics 3. Raptors 4. Bulls 5. Hornets 6. Knicks 7. Pistons 8. Pacers?

— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) July 7, 2016

These are also the games where Butler will need to prove himself most if he wants to get considered among the league’s upper echelon of …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com