Miami's first visit to United Center on Jan. 15
The Bulls already knew they would open the season in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
The NBA released the full schedule Tuesday, which revealed the Bulls will play their home opener and second game of the season against Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 30. That game will mark the return of former Bulls guard Ben Gordon and perhaps a player they passed up this summer. Reports had seven-time all-star Tracy McGrady signing with the Pistons on Tuesday.
Of course, Miami is the opponent everyone is eager to see. The Bulls and Heat play just three times this season, with the first meeting at the United Center on Saturday, Jan. 15. The power trio of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh return to Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 24, for a TNT broadcast.
The Bulls make just one trek to Miami on Sunday, March 6, for a noon start on ABC.
This year's November circus road trip is challenging, as usual. It starts with all three Texas teams - Houston (Nov. 16), San Antonio (Nov. 17) and Dallas (Nov. 19). After three days off, the Bulls play four games in five nights, with matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix, Denver and Sacramento.
A year ago, the Bulls played on Thanksgiving night in Utah, but this is the first time in more than 15 years they'll stay on the road for the entire Thanksgiving week.
The league already announced a Christmas Day game, the Bulls' first since 1997, against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. A day later, the Bulls are at Detroit.
Here are some other highlights:
• After the opener in OKC, the Bulls play six of the next seven games at home before heading on the circus trip, with a road game in Boston on Nov. 5. After Detroit in the home opener, Portland, New York, Denver, Golden State and Washington visit. The last game before the circus trip on Nov. 13 should feature the Chicago return of Kirk Hinrich.
• The Lakers make their annual United Center visit on Friday, Dec. 10.
• Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City are in town Monday, Dec. 6.
• During December and January, the Bulls will play 21 games at home and 11 on the road.
• The longest home stand is six games starting Jan. 18 against Charlotte, Dallas, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Orlando and Indiana.
• The ice show road trip in early February features five games in 11 days, against the Clippers, Golden State, Portland, Utah and New Orleans.
• There is another long road trip in early March with five games in nine days, ranging from Milwaukee, Washington, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami.
• There might be a chance to make up ground late in the season. In the final 17 games, only six opponents made the playoffs last season and one of those is Cleveland, which figures to plummet in the standings without James.
• The Bulls will play three of their final four on the road - against Cleveland, Orlando and New York - before finishing at home against New Jersey on April 13.
• Atlanta and New York visit the United Center just once, while the Bulls visit Miami and Philadelphia for a single game.
• The Bulls are scheduled to appear on ESPN eight times, TNT seven times, with two games slated for ABC - at Miami on March 6 and at Orlando on April 10.
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