Tilt your head back and inhale. Do you smell that?
No, not that. Yes, that.
It’s the sweet smell of the NBA playoffs.
Sure, Chicago stopped making scents back in 1998 after the Bulls put NBA championship trophy No. 6 in the trophy case and then kissed just about everybody goodbye.
But this is 2005, my friends, the year of the Red Bull, and not because it goes with vodka but because Chicago’s NBA franchise is back.
People are talking, fans and non-fans alike. Bartenders are actually clicking TVs away from billiards and over to Bulls games. Kids are wearing the red and black again, and not because they’re closet Atlanta Falcons fans.
How will these last eight games play out before the really important games begin?
Sit back and watch. And stop sniffing the air now. You’re creeping people out.
At New York
7 p.m. Friday,
Comcast SportsNet
Remember when New York City was a mecca of basketball? Well now they have Jamal Crawford and somebody named Bruno Sundov. I see. Yes, Luol Deng is out with a wrist injury, and, sure, the Bulls need Eddy Curry to bounce back. But not yet. Not yet.
Final score: Bulls 92, Knicks 81
Vs. Toronto
7:30 p.m. Saturday, WGN-Ch. 9
Jalen who now? I have to be honest, I forgot the Raptors still existed. And stop feeling so superior. You did too.
Final score: Bulls 87, Raptors 79
Vs. Detroit
7:30 p.m. Monday,
Comcast SportsNet
Finally, a Detroit-Chicago matchup in April that means something. Here’s what I want to see: Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn and Vinnie Johnson on one side and Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and B.J. Armstrong on the other. And all game long I want evil stares going back and forth.
Final score: Bulls 95, Piston 91 OT
At Washington
7 p.m. Wednesday,
ESPN
It’s the battle of Jordan’s two former teams (ESPN, feel free to use that in the promos). The Wizards will be out to impress; the Bulls will be saving all of their “trick plays” for the postseason. Oh, we’ll meet again, Wizards of D.C. Oh, yes. We will meet again.
Final score: Wizards 91, Bulls 82
Vs. Orlando
7:30 p.m. April 15, Comcast SportsNet
Is Grant Hill still hurt? Is Steve Francis still throwing up shots? Is Chris Gent still an interim coach? Yes, yes and oh, yes. Bulls won in OT there on April 6. They’ll cruise here.
Final score: Bulls 97, Magic 87
At Atlanta
6 p.m. April 16,
WGN-Ch. 9
(Editor’s note: Due to the Hawks’ NBA-worst record, Whizzer couldn’t stop laughing and will be unable to write a capsule for this game. You know how he gets. He’ll be back for the next game. We appreciate your patience.)
Final score:
Bulls 100, Ha-ha-ha-ha-hawks 58.
Vs. New York
7:30 p.m. April 19,
Comcast SportsNet
These Knicks just won’t go away, will they? It’s kind of endearing. By this point in the season, most of them have probably left for vacations, so come early and sign a one-game contract.
Final score: Bulls 88, Knicks 75
At Indiana
7 p.m. April 20,
WCIU-Ch. 26
Your calendar says the playoffs begin April 23, but I’m giving you a Dikembe Mutombo finger wag right here even though I don’t have fingers. This game will carry a postseason atmosphere, but, hey, how come Ron Artest isn’t playing?
Final score: Bulls 100, Pacers 96. Just like last time.
Playoff prediction?
Come back and read
RedEye April 22. I’ll be right here.
Edited by Chris Malcolm
(ccmalcolm@tribune.com)
and Chris Courtney
(cdcourtney@tribune.com)
