© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Caruso still believes the Chicago Bulls have what it takes to make the NBA Playoffs
After a miserable start, the Chicago Bulls have played promising basketball of late, having won six of their last nine games. Although the team remains in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with their 11-17 record, Bulls guard Alex Caruso is keeping the faith that his team can make a strong push and qualify for the NBA Playoffs this season.
Incredible win
The Bulls’ morale is at a season-high after defeating one of the league’s best squads—the Philadelphia 76ers—108-104 on Monday night. Despite Joel Embiid popping off for 40 points and 14 rebounds, Chicago displayed incredible poise down the stretch, as shown by a gritty defensive stand that stopped the reigning league MVP from scoring what would have been the game-tying bucket.
When asked after the game if he believed the Bulls were capable of making it to the postseason after missing it last season, Caruso didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Yeah, for sure. I think we have enough talent clearly,” Caruso said.
“I mean, we just won at Philly. We won at Miami, went 2-1 on this road trip. We were up two buckets with three minutes to go in Miami in the second game. That team was in the Finals last year, and this is a team that’s trying to win the Finals this year—two of the best teams,” Caruso continued.
Can play with any team in the NBA
Add to that the 120-113 win that the Bulls pulled off over Milwaukee earlier this month, and it’s clear that the Bulls can compete with any team in the NBA. Although Chicago has had its share of struggles this season, they have risen to the occasion against some of the best teams in the league and come out on top.
“We can play with anybody when we play at our best. It’s just about doing it,” Caruso shared.
The NBA is a make-or-miss league, and right now, things that the Bulls couldn’t quite grasp earlier this season, they’re now beginning to understand. From the scoring of Nikola Vucevic and Coby White to the defensive intensity of Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu — it all adds up for a team that is playing better in the East.
“We’re finally locking in on the things we’ve talked about all year that we want to do, and we’re competing at a high level,” Alex Caruso said.
“As crazy as it sounds, we could be 9-0 because we had a couple late games that we lost that we could’ve won.”
