Derrick Rose is playing at an MVP level, Carlos Boozer is at an all-star level and if he didn’t tear ligaments in his thumb Joakim Noah would be an all-star also.

With everything on the up and up in Chicago, it’s only going to look better as eight of the next ten games are against teams under .500.

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The best thing about this is, no one is talking about the Bulls because of all of the other drama happening in the Eastern Conference.

The Boston Celtics are dealing with the injury to Kevin Garnett’s right leg, which was first said to be his knee but ESPN has the injury listed as his calf on Garnett’s player card. Besides the injury to one of their big three, the Celtics have been playing good ball and are at the top of the conference. If they fall off the top of the ladder or remain, there is going to be hoopla around the organization the duration of Garnett’s absence.

Miami is a circus show and as long as the team is still in existence with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Heat roster, they will always have more shine than Chicago.

The Orlando Magic were stagnant with their roster so they made headlines with blockbuster deals which moved Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat while receiving Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. This deal puts them back in the elite race because they now have players who want to win instead of simply being paid.

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While all this is going on, the Bulls are staying off the radar and doing what they have to do to win games.

Mentioned before, Noah had surgery on his thumb and has missed six games which has resulted in only two loses for the Bulls. The team hasn’t technically filled the void, but they are putting in players who are producing where Noah did, defensively. Kurt Thomas, Omer Asik and James Johnson have stepped up their game and have made a difference coming off the bench.

Carlos Boozer had a couple of rough games after his return from his broken hand, but since then he has been unstoppable and has opened up the Bulls offense like never before. Chicago finally has an inside presence to draw double teams but also has great passing skills to find the open shooter.

Rose, Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans are shining as shooters because of Boozers job inside.

The only thing to worry about is becoming complaisant against lesser teams such as the New Jersey Nets (twice), Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Bobcats.

Fortunately, the Bulls have a roster full of character guys who thrive on proving the masses wrong.

The only two winning teams in the next ten games are the Celtics and the Heat. If the Bulls continue to play at their current level they could possibly win both of these games.

My early prediction is: Chicago takes nine out of the next ten games.

Leave your prediction…

How will the Bulls finish in the next ten games?

Wednesday’s match-ups begin with the Chicago Bulls playing the second game of their “Circus Trip” as ESPN likes to call it. In the the road trip the Bulls will play seven west coast teams in 12 days including five of the seven top eight teams in the Western Conference. Wednesday finds the Bulls in San Antonio against the Spurs.

Tim Duncan and company are 8-1 which puts them in a three way tie for the best record in the league with the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns are going to see who can past 6-4 as they meet in a battle of the disappointments. Miami’s big three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are not living up to the hype while the Suns, last year’s Western Conference Champions, are extremely inconsistent, mainly because they don’t have an inside presence. Oh, almost forgot, Robin Lopez, the Suns only valuable big man, is out with a knee injury.

What other games are Wednesday night?

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Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs…Bulls, I said before the Spurs would win, but after watching the Bulls play yesterday…I have faith

Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat…Heat, I’d love to say Suns so they could give Heat another loss, but the Suns have no inside presence at all, Bosh might have his best game of the season.

Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers…Raptors, they have looked good compared to the 76ers, who will be without Andre Iguodala.

Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics…Celtics, even if  Wall wasn’t sitting out with a foot injury, i’d still pick Boston because they are going to bone stomp Washington.

Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons…Lakers, they’re going to bone stomp them worse than Boston will Washington.

Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Hornets…Hornets, they’re playing solid ball while the Mavericks have been inconsistant.

Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves…Clippers, Blake Griffin will beat them by himself.

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder…Rockets, the Thunder still have a problem beating bigger teams.

New Jersey Nets at Utah Jazz…Jazz, this will be closer than expected but Deron Williams will make the difference for the victory.

New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings…Knicks, New York can shoot well against teams who play little defense, this is one of them.

Other than that, nothing too exciting except I did well on my NBA picks, almost undefeated if it wasn’t for Granger.

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Here is my personal cheerleader, well…

SATURDAY’S PICKS (8-1)

Chicago Bulls beat Washington Wizards 103-96…Right, the Bulls were just too big and Rose won the one-on-one match up against John Wall.

Orlando Magic beat New Jersey Nets 91-90…Right, but barely, whats going on with the Magic, they’re playing bad basketball compared to what they’re capable of.

Utah Jazz beat Charlotte Bobcats 96-95…Right, again barely, what is going on with the Jazz as well?

Indiana Pacers beat Cleveland Cavaliers 99-85…Wrong, the Cavs play well at times then are horrible the next, Indiana is showing they could be moving from the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat beat Toronto Raptors 109-100…Right, thought it’d be a bigger win, but it’s still a W.

New Orleans Hornets beat Portland Trailblazers 107-87…Right, Portland is stumbling, while the Hornets continue to sting.

Boston Celtics beat Memphis Grizzlies 116-110 in overtime…Right, Great game, Memphis is doing good things with their young lineup.

Milwaukee Bucks beat Golden State Warriors 79-72…Right, Warriors are falling apart, already.

San Antonio Spurs beat Philadelphia 76ers 116-93…Right…Tim Duncan and company are going to be a hard team to play with if they can stay healthy.

SUNDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS

The Atlanta Hawks and the Minnesota Timberwolves already played, so I won’t count this one. Atlanta won 111-105.

Detroit Pistons at Sacramento Kings…Pistons, they’re putting together a nice little string of wins and they have more experienced players.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder…Spurs, the Thunder can’t defend in the paint, which is where the Spurs dominate.

Houston Rockets at New York Knicks…Rockets, just not impressed with the Knicks, or the Rockets for that matter, but should win this one.

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers…Lakers, they’re too big and dominant inside and can run with the Suns if they need to.

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Luol Deng led the way with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, as all five starters scored in double-digits and had at least one steal and block. In general, the Bulls bone stomped the Warriors in every aspect of the game.

In other games around the NBA on Thursday, the Boston Celtics manhandled the Miami Heat once again. The final score was 112-107, but it only became close in the late minutes with a Heat run, but other than that, the Celtics owned the Heat from the time the ball was jumped. Boston’s Ray Allen scored 35 points including his gift to hit seven three-pointers , while Rajon Rondo dished out 16 assists as he continues to lead the league in assists per game with 14.9.

Boston’s record doesn’t matter, but the Heat who put together a superstar threesome in Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh fell to 5-4 to have all my co-workers, Facebook pals and other bloggers laughing at Miami.

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The good thing is, I picked the Celtics to win because I remembered how they dominated the Heat in the paint and there is no one on the Miami roster who can contain Rondo from setting up everyone on his team.

Also, the New Orleans Hornets are the only undefeated team in the NBA as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets 118-112. Carmelo Anthony continues to dominate against any defensive player or team he wishes as he scored 32 points to led his team. Kobe Bryant also did his thing, scoring 34 points in the defeat.

Let’s see how my NBA picks worked out for Thursday and set some for Friday.

THURSDAY’S PICKS

Chicago Bulls beat Golden State Warriors 120-90…Right, the Bulls played almost a flawless game.

Boston Celtics beat Miami Heat 112-107…Right, the Heat have no answers for the Boston Celtics.

Denver Nuggets beat Los Angeles Lakers 118-112…Wrong, the Nuggets had been struggling while the Lakers were undefeated, but Melo showed he can tear up any defense.

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FRIDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS

Utah Jazz at Atlanta Hawks…Jazz, Deron Williams and Al Jefferson are becoming an unstoppable duo while the Hawks have fallen from their high level of play.

Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers…Rockets, they have more skill.

Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic…Magic, the Raptors are awful while the Magic have been playing above average, not great but good.

Charlotte Bobcats at Washington Wizards…Wizards, John Wall is making a statement.

New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves…Knicks, Amare Stoudemire should get the win by himself, but they do have to D up Kevin Love.

Philadelphia 76ers at  Dallas Mavericks…Mavericks, the 76ers put up points, but Mavericks put up more.

Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns…Suns, although they’re a team on the decline, the Phoenix back court is still extremely talented with Steve Nash and Jason Richardson.

Portland Trailblazers at Oklahoma City Thunder…Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge will have a field day offensively while Marcus Camby will control the glass.

Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Clippers…Pistons, game of two lackluster teams, but the Pistons are healthy while the Clippers are banged up with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and Randy Foye all suffering from injuries.

MAKE YOUR PICKS

1) COMMENT BOX

2) EMAIL:  BRANDON.LACHANCE@BULLSHOME.COM

The Pacers tore it up, but unfortunately, I thought the game would go the other way for the Nuggets because no one would ever think the Pacers would shoot as good as they did. Mike Dunleavy had 24 points in the third quarter alone and finished with 31 points for the night.

Lets see how the rest of the night went around the League.

TUESDAY’S PICKS (4-3)

Indiana Pacers beat Denver Nuggets 144-113…Wrong, Nuggets could match the firepower of Indiana.

Cleveland Cavaliers beat New Jersey Nets 93-91…Right, Cavs are not a good team, but they’re one of the best of the bad teams.

Utah Jazz beat Miami Heat 116-114 in overtime…Wrong, Paul Millsap put up the most points in the NBA Tuesday with 46 because the Heat don’t have an inside defensive stopper.

New Orleans Hornets beat Los Angeles Clippers 101-82…Right, Hornets are 7-0 for the season and have beaten the Clippers 14 consecutive times.

Milwaukee Bucks beat New York Knicks 107-80…Wrong, Sorry I underestimated the Bucks, they put it on the Knicks, who have been shooting the ball well.

Portland Trailblazers beat Detroit Pistons 100-78…Right, Detroit simply over matched.

Los Angeles Lakers beat Minnesota Timberwolves 99-94…Right, the Lakers played some of their worst ball of the season and still won to either show the strength of the Lakers or how bad the Timberwolves are. LA is undefeated at 8-0.

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WEDNESDAY GAMES AND PICKS

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks…Hawks, although the Bucks played well Tuesday, they played the no defense Knicks, the Hawks are on a way higher level.

Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic…Magic, Paul Millsap isn’t going to score 46 points against Dwight Howard and the Magic defense.

Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards…Rockets, Houston has a better lineup and is playing better ball.

Charlotte Bobcats at Toronto Raptors…Raptors, game could go either way, but Toronto has been playing a little better as of late.

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New Jersey Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers…Cavs, they beat the Nets in New Jersey on Tuesday, no reason they can’t beat them at home.

Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks…Warriors, if the Knicks played like they did Tuesday, anyone can beat them.

Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder…Thunder, the 76ers don’t have the scoring punch or inside defense to hang with the Thunder.

Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies…Mavericks, the Grizzlies won the first meeting, I think Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki want to prove it was a fluke.

Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs…Spurs, they’re who we thought they were, a talented team with veteran leadership.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings…Kings, they’re a solid team while the Timberwolves are struggling horribly.

MAKE YOUR PICKS

1) In the comment box

2) Send an email to brandon.lachance@bullshome.com

Today’s games should go a little smoother, well, lets hope.

SUNDAY PICKS

Phoenix Suns beat Atlanta Hawks 118-114…Wrong, Joe Johnson scored 34 points and the Hawks still lost, Phoenix must have been on all cylinders.

Detroit Pistons beat Golden State Warriors 102-97…Wrong, I don’t understand how the Pistons win games.

Houston Rockets beat Minnesota Timberwolves 120-94…Right, Minnesota is garbage

Boston Celtics beat Oklahoma City Thunder 92-83…Right, OKC can not play with big physical teams.

Los Angeles Lakers beat Portland Trailblazers 121-96…Wrong, went for the upset and Pau Gasol goes off for a trippe-double.

MONDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS

Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls…Bulls, Denver is playing a real small lineup, the front court of the Bulls should dominate the glass, resulting in a win.

Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic…Hawks, although they lost yesterday, they played tough. This will be a good game.

Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors…Warriors, they’ve been having a tough time lately against teams who have scoring talent because they don’t have defense, but the Raptors can’t score.

San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Bobcats…Spurs, TOO good.

Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies…Suns, Steve Nash and Jason Richardson are playing out of their minds lately.

Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks…Boston, they’re on a roll and are too good defensively for the Mavericks.

Saturday was another show of proof I should just not be a fan of any team, well, I’m going to anyway.

The Sacramento Kings were the only team I picked to win on Saturday to lose as they fell to the Memphis Grizzlies. Hmmm…what team’s band wagon should I jump on after I hop off of Sacramento’s wagon.

The almost perfect Saturday Results (8-1)

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Cleveland Cavaliers beat Washington Wizards 107-102…Right, Cavs are a better team without LeBron James than I thought they would be.

Orlando Magic beat Charlotte Bobcats 91-88…Right, Magic too big-too good.

Miami Heat beat New Jersey Nets 101-89…Right, Heat will beat the Nets every game.

New Orleans Hornets beat Milwaukee Bucks 91-87…Right, Hornets stay undefeated.

San Antonio Spurs beat Houston Rockets 124-121 in over time…Right, Spurs are playing great ball.

Denver Nuggets beat Dallas Mavericks 103-92…Right, Denver got its revenge.

Utah Jazz beat Los Angeles Clippers 109-107 in overtime…Right, Clippers itching for a win, nope, Deron Williams won’t let them scratch.

Portland Trailblazers beat Toronto Raptors 97-84…Right, Blazers have too much talent.

Memphis Grizzlies beat Sacramento Kings 100-91…Wrong, I don’t know what to say, I’m weaping.

SUNDAY PICKS

The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks played at Noon, so I can’t pick a game already played. The Knicks shooters didn’t show up=76ers victory.

Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks…Hawks, they stay undefeated because the Suns don’t have the players in the front court to match up Josh Smith and company.

Golden State Warriors at Detroit Pistons…Warriors, Golden State has a better team.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets…Houston, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola can win this game by themselves.

Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder…Celtics, the Thunder choke against top notch competition.

Portland Trailblazers at Los Angeles Lakers…Blazers, the Lakers have a tough time against the Blazers and they have been playing good basketball.

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I’m disappointed in the Bulls, favorite team, and the Blazers, one of my two bandwagon teams, couldn’t help me out. If they can’t who can, I guess Friday’s games will tell.

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Thursday Results (0-2)

New York Knicks beat Chicago Bulls 120-112…Wrong, the Knicks shot the lights out of the United Center and the Bulls defense didn’t do anything.

Oklahoma City Thunder beat Portland Trailblazers 107-106 in overtime…Wrong, Durant and Westbrook took it to them.

Friday’s Picks

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics…Bulls, they have to play defense the entire game, if they do, they can beat the Celtics.

Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers…Bucks, Milwaukee is a complete team with better individual skill.

New Jersey Nets at Orlando Magic…Magic, too big, too talented, too better in every aspect.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers…Cavaliers, 76ers played well last game, but there are too many distractions with Andre Iguodala trade talk and coach Doug Collins has been bothered with illness.

Charlotte Bobcats at Detroit Pistons…Bobcats, two bad teams, Charlotte is better.

Washington Wizards at New York Knicks…Knicks, if they shoot anything similar to yesterday, they destroy the Wizards.

Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets…Heat, Chris Paul will play well in an audition for the team, but Heat will kill them.

Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves…Hawks, Minnesota is terrible.

Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns…Suns, although they’re on the decline, they’re still better than the Grizzlies.

Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets…Nuggets, after the loss to San Antonio they want redemption.

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Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors…Jazz, Deron Williams and Al Jefferson are starting to come alive.

Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers…Lakers, same old story, too good for team with minimal talent.

Anyway, It is 7 p.m. and Wednesday’s games have already started. I wasn’t able to get my picks out due to a migraine headache gracing me around lunch time and sticking by my side until somewhere around 6 p.m. I’m going to make my picks without looking at what is going on now. I promise I haven’t looked, it you don’t believe me, that is your problem.

Tuesday’s Picks

Atlanta Hawks beat Cleveland Cavaliers 100-88–Right, Hawks had too much in their favor.

Washington Wizards beat Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 in overtime–Right, Wall led the league in scoring Tuesday with 29 points to earn his first NBA victory.

Boston Celtics beat Detroit Pistons 109-86–Right, Boston is a team, Detroit has players.

Miami Heat beat Minnesota Timberwolves 129-97–Right, this game was over in July.

Portland Trailblazers beat Milwaukee Bucks 90-76–Right, I love it when teams we beat, win against other teams in the central division.

Los Angeles Lakers beat Memphis Grizzlies 124-105–Right, everyone had this game right.

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Wednesday’s Picks

Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks–Hawks

Charlotte Bobcats at New Jersey Nets–Bobcats

Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic–Magic

Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers–Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics–Celtics

New Orleans Hornets at Houston Rockets–Hornets

Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets–Nuggets

Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz–Jazz

San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns–Spurs

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors–Warriors

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers–Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings–Lakers

Although I’m extremely happy the Bulls bone stomped the Portland Trailblazer, I would never have imagined it, especially after the way the Bulls had to comeback against the Detroit Pistons and the Blazers were on a three game winning streak.

With that said, I’ll take the Bulls victory as a lesson to believe in my team and to be ashamed for the rest of Tuesday because of it.

Monday’s Pick Results

Chicago over Trailblazers–110-98, Wrong, I’m disgusted with my self, but thankful Luol Deng dropped a career high 40 points.

Sacramento Kings beat Toronto Raptors–111-108, Right, I’m a leading member of the King’s bandwagon.

San Antonio Spurs defeated Los Angeles Clippers–97-88–Right, Spurs are too good for the Clippers.

Tuesday’s Picks

Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers–Atlanta, too many athletes for the Cavs to handle.

Philadelphia 76ers at Washington Wizards–Wizards, just want to see John Wall get an NBA victory.

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons–Boston, the Celtics will kill them.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat–Heat, the big three are clicking and will pounce the wolves.

Orlando Magic at New York Knicks–Magic, the Knicks are not big enough in the middle and don’t have enough shooters to match Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and company.

Portland Trailblazers at Milwaukee Bucks–Blazers, they couldn’t match the Bulls intensity, but they can match the Bucks.

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers–Lakers, the Grizzlies are better than the team from last year, but the defending NBA champions are too.

MAKE YOUR PICKS: Put them in the comment box or email brandon.lachance@bullshome.com