Bulls open at home against Skiles, Bucks

Another NBA season means another difficult beginning for the Bulls.

Actually, the schedule-makers showed a sense of humor by bringing ex-Bulls coach Scott Skiles and the Milwaukee Bucks to the United Center for opening night on Oct. 28. The Bucks will be sporting a new look after acquiring former New Jersey star Richard Jefferson.

But following the home opener, the Bulls go through the end of November playing 10 of 16 games on the road. All but two of those road contests are against opponents that made the playoffs last season.

The road stretch begins with a visit to defending NBA champion Boston on Oct. 31, then features trips to two more Eastern Conference powers, Orlando and Cleveland. The annual circus road trip, which this year includes seven stops, starts with the defending Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 18 at the Staples Center.

The end of the schedule balances back to the Bulls' favor, as they'll play eight of their final 11 games at home. Here are some more highlights:

•Games against Miami are certain to draw attention, since they will pit this year's top two draft picks, Derrick Rose and Heat forward Michael Beasley. Three of the four meetings are scheduled for national television, beginning with a Dec. 26 date at Miami on ESPN. The Heat's two visits to Chicago, on Feb. 12 and March 26, are both slotted for TNT Thursday telecasts.

•Last year, the Bulls didn't face LeBron James and Cleveland until March. This time, the Bulls and Cavs will play twice in the second week of the season, including a Nov. 8 date at the United Center. The Cavs' second trip to Chicago is Jan. 15, the last of four games between the teams.

•The Celtics visit Chicago just once, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. The following night, the Bulls make their first trip to play the former Seattle SuperSonics in Oklahoma City. The Lakers make their only United Center visit that same week, on March 21.

•The team's second long road trip features seven games in 14 days from Jan. 25 to Feb. 7.

•The Bulls will host former No. 1 pick Elton Brand and his new team, Philadelphia, on Dec. 2. A week later on Dec. 9, the New York Knicks come to town with the coach the Bulls originally wanted to hire in May, Mike D'Antoni.

•Despite missing the playoffs last season, the Bulls were given 10 national cable appearances - six on TNT and four on ESPN.