The Chicago Bulls' strength of schedule puts their slow start into perspective

The Bulls have had the second toughest schedule a quarter into the season, according to Basketball Reference.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls have struggled to start the 2022/23 regular season. But their 10-14 record doesn't tell the whole story.

However, their strength of schedule might.

Facing a gauntlet

That's not to say the Bulls don't have their problems—they've made a habit of falling behind early and are yet to address their poor three-point defense. But the fact is, Chicago has had the second toughest schedule a quarter into the season, according to Basketball Reference.

Power Rankings Guru even ranks them at the top with the hardest schedule played in the entire NBA. The same goes for ESPN.

17 of the Bulls' 24 games played have been against teams over .500. Their schedule also included four back-to-back sets in the first 12 games and the six-game road trip that they finished 2-4.

None of that is an excuse for the Bulls' slow start to the season, especially since they beat Eastern Conference powerhouses Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. But the team's quest for consistency might've been completed had they faced easier opponents.

With 58 games remaining—the second easiest stretch in the NBA, according to Basketball Reference—now it's time for the Bulls to right the ship and establish themselves as a legitimate playoff contender.

Bulls' schedule until the end of 2022

Coming off a 115-111 home victory over the Washington Wizards, the Bulls host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Then they're off to Atlanta to face the Hawks. After that, the Bulls return home to face the New York Knicks in back-to-back games.

Six of the Bulls' next ten games are against teams below .500.— Mavericks, Hawks, and Bucks are the current-playoff teams Chicago is set to face in the next few weeks.

• Dec 10 vs. Dallas Mavericks
• Dec 11 @ Atlanta Hawks
• Dec 14 vs. New York Knicks
• Dec 16 vs. New York Knicks
• Dec 18 @ Minnesota Timberwolves
• Dec 20 @ Miami Heat
• Dec 21 @ Atlanta Hawks
• Dec 23 @ New York Knicks
• Dec 26 vs. Houston Rockets
• Dec 28 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bulls will go on a four-game road trip after three of their first four games will be played at United Center. Their last game of this calendar year is a home matchup against the Detroit Pistons.