The 2012-13 Chicago Bulls season was a pivotal chapter in the franchise’s history, marked by resilience and tactical adaptability. With star player Derrick Rose sidelined for the entire season due to an ACL injury sustained during the previous year’s playoffs, the team faced significant challenges. Despite Rose’s absence, the Bulls, under the leadership of head coach Tom Thibodeau, displayed remarkable grit and determination, finishing the regular season with a respectable 45-37 record.
One of the hallmarks of the Bulls’ season was their defensive tenacity, a staple under Thibodeau’s coaching philosophy. The Bulls ranked among the top in the league for defensive efficiency, often relying on their ability to stifle opponents to secure victories. Veteran players like Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and Carlos Boozer stepped up, each contributing significantly on both ends of the floor. Noah, in particular, emerged as a defensive anchor, earning a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
The Bulls demonstrated depth and versatility throughout the season. The emergence of players like Nate Robinson and Jimmy Butler provided much-needed scoring and energy. Robinson, known for his electrifying play, was crucial in several key games, while Butler’s defensive prowess and developing offensive skills made him a rising star in the league.
In the playoffs, the Bulls faced the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, a series that epitomized their season’s grit and perseverance. Despite being plagued by injuries and illnesses, the Bulls won the series in a dramatic seven games, highlighted by Nate Robinson’s heroic performances. However, their journey ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they fell to the eventual champion Miami Heat in five games.
The 2012-13 season showcased the Bulls’ ability to compete at a high level despite adversity. It laid the groundwork for future seasons, highlighting the importance of depth, resilience, and a strong defensive identity.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 4-3, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 2012-13 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Luol Deng | 75 | 16.5 | 6.3 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 32.2 | 5 | 13.8 | 7.6 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 5.6 |
| Carlos Boozer | 79 | 16.2 | 9.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 12 | 16.4 | 9.6 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Nate Robinson | 82 | 13.1 | 2.2 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 40.5 | 12 | 16.3 | 2.7 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 33.8 |
| Joakim Noah | 66 | 11.9 | 11.1 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 12 | 10.8 | 9.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.0 |
| Richard Hamilton | 50 | 9.8 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 30.8 | 4 | 6.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 42.9 |
| Marco Belinelli | 73 | 9.6 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 35.7 | 12 | 11.1 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 34.0 |
| Jimmy Butler | 82 | 8.6 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 38.1 | 12 | 13.3 | 5.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 40.5 |
| Taj Gibson | 65 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 12 | 6.5 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Kirk Hinrich | 60 | 7.7 | 2.6 | 5.2 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 39.0 | 4 | 11.3 | 2.8 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 36.4 |
| Nazr Mohammed | 63 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 12 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Daequan Cook | 33 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 24.6 | 6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12.5 |
| Marquis Teague | 48 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 17.4 | 8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Malcolm Thomas | 7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Vladimir Radmanović | 25 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 18.5 | 1 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Lou Amundson | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Chicago Bulls in the 2013 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Brooklyn Nets
In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced the Brooklyn Nets in a thrilling first-round series. Despite battling injuries, the Bulls showcased their resilience and tenacity, eventually winning the series in seven games. Nate Robinson's electrifying performance, particularly his heroics in Game 4's triple-overtime victory, was pivotal in helping the Bulls advance.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20, 2013 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 106-89 | |
| Apr 22, 2013 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 90-82 | |
| Apr 25, 2013 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 79-76 | |
| Apr 27, 2013 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 142-134 | |
| Apr 29, 2013 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 110-91 | |
| May 02, 2013 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | L 95-92 | |
| May 04, 2013 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 99-93 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Miami Heat
In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite a valiant effort, the undermanned Bulls, missing key players like Derrick Rose and dealing with injuries to others, were overpowered by the Heat's formidable lineup led by LeBron James, resulting in a 4-1 series loss. The Bulls showed grit and resilience, managing to steal Game 1 in Miami, but ultimately couldn't sustain the momentum against the eventual champions.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 2013 | @ Miami Heat | W 93-86 | |
| May 08, 2013 | @ Miami Heat | L 115-78 | |
| May 10, 2013 | vs. Miami Heat | L 104-94 | |
| May 13, 2013 | vs. Miami Heat | L 88-65 | |
| May 15, 2013 | @ Miami Heat | L 94-91 |
Chicago Bulls 2012-13 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2012-13 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2012 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 93-87 | |
| Nov 02, 2012 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 115-86 | |
| Nov 03, 2012 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 89-82 | |
| Nov 06, 2012 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 99-93 | |
| Nov 08, 2012 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | L 97-91 | |
| Nov 10, 2012 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 87-80 | |
| Nov 12, 2012 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 101-95 | |
| Nov 14, 2012 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 112-106 | |
| Nov 17, 2012 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 101-80 | |
| Nov 18, 2012 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 102-94 | |
| Nov 21, 2012 | @ Houston Rockets | L 93-89 | |
| Nov 24, 2012 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 93-86 | |
| Nov 26, 2012 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 93-92 | |
| Nov 28, 2012 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 101-78 | |
| Dec 01, 2012 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 93-88 | |
| Dec 04, 2012 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 80-76 | |
| Dec 05, 2012 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 95-85 | |
| Dec 07, 2012 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 108-104 | |
| Dec 08, 2012 | vs. New York Knicks | W 93-85 | |
| Dec 11, 2012 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 94-89 | |
| Dec 12, 2012 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-89 | |
| Dec 15, 2012 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 83-82 | |
| Dec 17, 2012 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 80-71 | |
| Dec 18, 2012 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 100-89 | |
| Dec 21, 2012 | @ New York Knicks | W 110-106 | |
| Dec 22, 2012 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 92-75 | |
| Dec 25, 2012 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 120-97 | |
| Dec 29, 2012 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 87-77 | |
| Dec 31, 2012 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | L 91-81 | |
| Jan 02, 2013 | @ Orlando Magic | W 96-94 | |
| Jan 04, 2013 | @ Miami Heat | W 96-89 | |
| Jan 07, 2013 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 118-92 | |
| Jan 09, 2013 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-96 | |
| Jan 11, 2013 | @ New York Knicks | W 108-101 | |
| Jan 12, 2013 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 97-81 | |
| Jan 14, 2013 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 97-58 | |
| Jan 16, 2013 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 107-105 | |
| Jan 18, 2013 | @ Boston Celtics | W 100-99 | |
| Jan 19, 2013 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 85-82 | |
| Jan 21, 2013 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 95-83 | |
| Jan 23, 2013 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 85-82 | |
| Jan 25, 2013 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 103-87 | |
| Jan 26, 2013 | @ Washington Wizards | L 86-73 | |
| Jan 28, 2013 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 93-85 | |
| Jan 30, 2013 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 104-88 | |
| Feb 01, 2013 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 93-89 | |
| Feb 02, 2013 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 93-76 | |
| Feb 04, 2013 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 111-101 | |
| Feb 07, 2013 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 128-96 | |
| Feb 08, 2013 | @ Utah Jazz | W 93-89 | |
| Feb 11, 2013 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 103-89 | |
| Feb 13, 2013 | @ Boston Celtics | L 71-69 | |
| Feb 19, 2013 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 96-87 | |
| Feb 21, 2013 | vs. Miami Heat | L 86-67 | |
| Feb 22, 2013 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 105-75 | |
| Feb 24, 2013 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 102-72 | |
| Feb 26, 2013 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 101-98 | |
| Feb 28, 2013 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 93-82 | |
| Mar 02, 2013 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 96-85 | |
| Mar 03, 2013 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 97-92 | |
| Mar 06, 2013 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 101-83 | |
| Mar 08, 2013 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 89-88 | |
| Mar 10, 2013 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 90-81 | |
| Mar 13, 2013 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 121-79 | |
| Mar 15, 2013 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 113-95 | |
| Mar 18, 2013 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 119-118 | |
| Mar 21, 2013 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 99-89 | |
| Mar 23, 2013 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 87-84 | |
| Mar 24, 2013 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 104-97 | |
| Mar 27, 2013 | vs. Miami Heat | W 101-97 | |
| Mar 30, 2013 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 100-98 | |
| Mar 31, 2013 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 95-94 | |
| Apr 02, 2013 | @ Washington Wizards | L 90-86 | |
| Apr 04, 2013 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 92-90 | |
| Apr 05, 2013 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 87-86 | |
| Apr 07, 2013 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 99-85 | |
| Apr 09, 2013 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 101-98 | |
| Apr 11, 2013 | vs. New York Knicks | W 118-111 | |
| Apr 12, 2013 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 97-88 | |
| Apr 14, 2013 | @ Miami Heat | L 105-93 | |
| Apr 15, 2013 | @ Orlando Magic | W 102-84 | |
| Apr 17, 2013 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 95-92 |
