Bulls release their 2019-20 schedule, and here are 5 key games to watch

Win-total predictions is an area that John Paxson stays away from.

That doesn’t mean that the Bulls vice president of basketball operations hasn’t been embracing the confidence of his players heading into the 2019-20 NBA season.

Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen have expressed expectations of nothing short of a playoff push, so it’s not in Paxson’s nature to even think about squashing that dream.

“We can make a substantial leap,’’ Paxson said during this offseason. “And I did tell the players, and you’ve heard Zach’s comment on he wants to even be a playoff team next year, I think our goal has to be to be in that hunt. We want to be in that hunt again.

“Now that’s going to take us being healthy. That’s the first thing in this, and hopefully we’ll get a little luck in that regard.’’

That’s not the only luck the Bulls will need, as the NBA released the schedule for the upcoming season on Monday, and Year 3 of the rebuild at least has some winnable games early on.

Had to wait for the paint to dry... Our 2019-2020 schedule is here! #RunWithUs

Let us know which game you are most excited for
Full schedule: https://t.co/JT5WVBbngF pic.twitter.com/QpUIxruIZa

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 12, 2019

While opening the season in Charlotte on Oct. 23 doesn’t exactly scream daunting task, the Bulls will play four of their five October games away from the United Center. The home opener will be Oct. 26 against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.

But the remaining October road games at Memphis, at New York and at Cleveland shouldn’t keep anyone up at night.

It’s not until November that things get interesting, as the Bulls host Derrick Rose and the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 1, and then play at Indiana, are at home to the Lakers, at Atlanta, and at home to Houston.

If this team truly has playoff aspirations, however, they best not need to win a lot of games in April. On March 30 they head to Utah, and then play at Denver, at Phoenix, at the Lakers and at the Clippers. They then return home and host Brooklyn and Orlando, before finishing the regular season at Boston on April 15.

As far as the five most interesting games of the season …

1. New Orleans – Feb. 6

Zion Williamson and the new-look Pelicans come to the United Center for their lone visit of the season. As long as Williamson is healthy and playing, the Pelicans are a must-watch at any arena. Factor in that these two teams are rebuilding — one supposedly in front of the other — and not only should it be an air-show spectacle with LaVine also healthy, but it should be competitive.

2. Detroit – Nov. 1

With the release of his new book “I’ll Show You,’’ Rose is still an attraction for the many apologists running around his hometown. The Bulls and their fan base will get a first look at him in his new Piston blue and red at the United Center in early November, and then see him again on Nov. 20.

The Pistons feel like they are again a playoff team, and it will be a good measuring stick for the Bulls to see if they also can make some noise for an Eastern Conference No. 7 or No. 8 seed.

3. Los Angeles Lakers – Nov. 5

LeBron, A.D. at the UC … ‘nuff said.

4. At Phoenix – April 5

It’s the Suns, yes. But considering the rest of the April schedule for the Bulls, if they are serious about a playoff push this is a must-win game. Maybe the only winnable road game on paper in the month.

5. At Oklahoma City – Dec. 16

Coach Jim Boylen is big into team bonding on the road, and this game tips off a four-game road trip of very winnable contests. Playing the Thunder, at Washington, at Detroit and then at Orlando in mid-December could set a very important mindset.