NBA Playoffs 2021: Chicago Bulls standings, odds, scenarios originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The race to the 2021 NBA playoffs has hit the home stretch -- and it's still as tight as ever.
Only 7.5 games separate the No. 4 and No. 12 seeds in the Eastern Conference with about a month until the postseason, which begins May 18 with the Play-In Tournament followed by the first round on May 22.
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The Chicago Bulls (24-33) are in that tightly packed group with just 15 games remaining in their season. After losing five straight games, they have won their last two over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, respectively.
So, where do things currently stand for Billy Donovan's club, and what may lie ahead? Here's what you need to know about the Bulls' push for the playoffs:
What is the format for the 2021 NBA Playoffs?
This year's playoffs feature a new wrinkle: the NBA Play-In Tournament. Here's how it works: The No. 7 through No. 10 seeds in the Western Conference and Eastern Conference, respectively, qualify for the Play-In Tournament.
The tournament begins May 18 and consists of two rounds for each conference with the following format:
Round 1
No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed (winner earns No. 7 seed; loser to Round 2)
No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed (winner to Round 2; loser eliminated)
Round 2
Loser of 7-8 vs. Winner of 9-10 (winner earns No. 8 seed; loser eliminated)
Once the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds are decided for each conference, the first round will begin May 22 with the traditional format: seven-game series featuring the 1-8, 2-7, 3-6 and 4-5 matchups.
Where are the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings?
The Bulls currently own the No. 10 seed in the East. They have the same record as the Washington Wizards, but Chicago owns the tiebreaker after taking the season series 2-1. The Bulls sit two games behind the Indiana Pacers for the No. 9 spot and four games behind the Charlotte Hornets at No. 8. The Toronto Raptors are also lurking just a half-game back of the Bulls and Wizards.
| Team | GB From No. 1 |
| 7. Miami Heat | 9.5 |
| 8. Charlotte Hornets | 11 |
| 9. Indiana Pacers | 13 |
| 10. Chicago Bulls | 15 |
| 11. Washington Wizards | 15 |
| 12. Toronto Raptors | 15.5 |
Who would the Bulls play in the Play-In Tournament?
If the season ended Wednesday, the Bulls would face the Pacers in the 9-10 matchup. Chicago would be the visiting team and would have to win to reach Round 2 of the Play-In Tournament for a chance at the No. 8 seed, where they would face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
Here are the East play-in matchups if the season ended today:
| Away | Home |
| No. 10 Chicago Bulls | No. 9 Indiana Pacers |
| No. 8 Charlotte Hornets | No. 7 Miami Heat |
What is the Bulls' remaining schedule?
The Bulls have 15 regular-season games left, and they are all against Eastern Conference foes, giving them a golden opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race.
Here are Chicago's next five games:
| Wednesday, April 21 | at. Cavaliers |
| Thursday, April 22 | vs. Hornets |
| Saturday, April 24 | at Heat |
| Monday, April 26 | at Heat |
| Wednesday, April 28 | at Knicks |
What are the Bulls' playoff odds?
The Bulls currently have +10000 odds to win the Eastern Conference and +25000 odds to win the NBA Finals, with odds provided by our partner, PointsBet Sportsbook. Those championship odds are tied with six other teams, and only seven teams have larger odds for winning this year’s conference title.
We'll update this article as the postseason nears, so stay tuned for the latest on the Bulls' playoff chances.
PointsBet is NBC Sports' official sports betting partner. We may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
