No TNT home games, but Bulls can give thanks for this year's schedule
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Bulls' 2018-19 schedule is there are not any home games televised by TNT.
So, for the second-straight season, the Bulls' improbable streak of 20 consecutive victories in TNT home games will remain dormant. The Bulls' only TNT game is the opener at Philadelphia on Oct. 18.
That's what happens when the team rebuilds and is coming off a 27-win season. If the Bulls want more attention from TNT, the best course of action is to play better. With that in mind, here are some highlights from next season's schedule:
• The home opener is Saturday, Oct. 20, vs. Detroit. As previously announced, the regular-season opener is at Philadelphia on Oct. 18.
• Two-time defending champion Golden State makes an early visit to the United Center on Monday, Oct. 29.
• Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Tom Thibodeau and any other former Bulls added to the roster will be back when Minnesota visits on Wednesday, Dec. 26.
• For the first time in his career, LeBron James is playing in the West and will make his lone appearance with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, March 12.
• For the first time in literally decades, the Bulls will be at home the nights before and after Thanksgiving, vs. Phoenix on Nov. 21 and Miami on Nov. 23. Going back to the 1970s, Chicago Stadium and the United Center used to host the circus during the week of Thanksgiving, but that tradition ended last year.
• The Bulls' trip to Mexico City to face Orlando on Dec. 13 will be followed by games in San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
• In addition to the Mexico City game, the Bulls will have two other appearance on ESPN - Friday, Nov. 16, at Milwaukee and Wednesday, March 6, vs. Philadelphia.
• Since the Bulls tried to eliminate the long circus and ice show road trips, their longest trip this season is five games at Portland, Golden State, Utah, the Lakers and Denver from Jan. 9-17.
• The Bulls will open and close the season in Philadelphia. The regular-season finale is Wednesday, April 10. The Bulls' last home game is April 9 night against New York.
• The schedule includes three Sunday afternoon home games, against Brooklyn on Jan. 6, Cleveland on Jan. 27, and Atlanta on March 3.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls