The Bulls are 1-5 and sit 13th, one game behind Miami for 10th. Through six games they have the offense of a bad team and the defense of a worse one, and Philadelphia is next.
The number that matters. Chicago's defensive rating this season is 121.6 across six games, against an offensive rating of 105.9. That is a net of minus 15.7. Five of the six opponents have scored 124 or more. Scoring is not what is sinking this team.
Maxey sets the test. Philadelphia is 6-1 with three straight wins. Tyrese Maxey averages 29.6 points over seven games. Embiid and LeBron James are both listed day-to-day, so the Bulls cannot count on seeing either. They need a plan for Maxey either way.
Wilson and Powell. Caleb Wilson averages 21.2 points over six games and shoots 29.8 percent from three. Norman Powell is at 20.7. Both scored in the Boston loss and the team still lost by 14. Two scorers have not been enough.
Swain and Claxton. Dailyn Swain is day-to-day with an estimated return of Nov. 2. Nic Claxton is out until Nov. 4 at the earliest. By our count the Bulls have lost 470 player minutes to injury since Oct. 20, and Claxton alone is 27.8 a game.
Within reach. Chicago trails sixth-place Washington by two games and tenth-place Miami by one. Nobody is writing off a season at 1-5 in this East. Another loss to a 6-1 team would still make the climb steeper.
Milestones on the way. By our count, Josh Giddey is 88 points short of 5,000 for his career, about 11 games away at his current pace. Powell is 19 threes short of 1,250, roughly eight games away at his pace.
What is the Bulls' record this season?
Chicago is 1-5 and has lost four straight. The Bulls sit 13th in the East.
When do the Bulls play Philadelphia next?
Chicago visits the 76ers on Nov. 2 and hosts them again on Nov. 8.
