The Chicago Bulls are confounding this season, holding a 9–8 record against teams with records of .500 or better, yet struggling to 8–10 against teams below .500, a statistic that defies conventional logic in the NBA.

In fact, Chicago is the only team in the league performing better against winning teams than losing ones, a peculiarity that has both analysts and fans scratching their heads while trying to decipher what this team truly represents.

A recent two-game stretch perfectly illustrates the Bulls’ strange tendencies. They defeated the 20–16 Orlando Magic 121–114 without Coby White or Josh Giddey, only to fall 112–99 to the 12–23 Charlotte Hornets, who were missing their top three centers, underscoring the team’s inconsistency.

The weirdness extends beyond isolated games. Chicago still appears without a clear identity or plan. Are they fully competing for a postseason berth, evaluating which young players to retain long-term, or experimenting with lineups? The answers remain elusive, leaving observers puzzled.

Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas has long emphasized competitive integrity, encouraging the team to fight in every game rather than fully embracing a rebuild, suggesting the Bulls remain committed to winning, even if the results against weaker opponents remain inconsistent.

That approach may actually be a hidden strength for Chicago. While losing to sub-.500 teams is concerning, their ability to beat elite competition has proven that the Bulls can rise to the occasion, giving hope that they might perform when it matters most.

The Bulls’ remaining schedule offers a silver lining. According to NBA strength-of-schedule metrics, Chicago has the fourth-toughest remaining slate in the league, a challenge that could benefit a team that tends to elevate its play against stronger opponents.

Their remaining strength of schedule sits at .515, easier only than the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns, placing the Bulls among the two Eastern Conference teams with a top-10 hardest remaining schedule alongside the Milwaukee Bucks (.509).

Unlike the Bucks, who are just 5–13 against teams above .500, Chicago has demonstrated an ability to compete with high-level competition. That history suggests their remaining difficult schedule could help rather than hurt their playoff positioning if they continue to rise to the challenge.

Upcoming matchups include multiple games against teams like the Thunder, Pistons, Rockets, and Knicks. While a West Coast road trip in March looms large, these earlier contests against strong Eastern Conference teams may provide Chicago the confidence needed to sustain a postseason push.

If the Bulls maintain their tendency to beat winning teams, they could enter March positioned to make a statement. The upcoming schedule is a test of consistency, requiring Chicago to secure winnable games against weaker opponents before facing a punishing stretch of travel and tough competition.

This pattern of rising to the occasion highlights the Bulls’ unusual psychology as a team. They appear motivated by challenge, often outperforming expectations against superior competition, while struggling with games that might seem routine or less demanding on paper.

For Bulls fans, the key takeaway is that the team’s unpredictability isn’t necessarily negative. While inconsistent performance can frustrate, the ability to compete with elite teams suggests there’s real potential for a playoff push if they manage their schedule effectively.

Chicago’s postseason hopes hinge on balance and timing. Taking care of games against weaker opponents in January and February is critical before facing the rigorous West Coast swing in March, where both talent and resilience will be tested under challenging travel conditions.

In short, the Bulls’ “weird” record may mask their true potential. Their tendency to elevate against winning teams, combined with a tough remaining schedule, could provide the spark needed for a meaningful playoff run, even if they stumble against lower-tier squads along the way.

The narrative of the 2025-26 Bulls is one of contrast, inconsistency, and opportunity. They remain an enigmatic team capable of impressing and frustrating in equal measure, and their ability to survive and thrive in March may ultimately define their season.