The Chicago Bulls are rising up the NBA power rankings again as their defense has come back to form. The Bulls have won two straight games to improve to an 8-7 record. With the lack of talent in the Central Division, the Bulls hope to hold onto the division lead as they await the return of Derrick Rose.

In Seth Rosenthal's power rankings at SB Nation, the Bulls come in at No. 10 and he lauds their recent defensive reawakening. Marc Stein at ESPN has the Bulls at No. 9 in his rankings. John Schuhmann of NBA.com has Chicago at No. 12 in his rankings. The Bulls come in at No. 13 in both Sam Amico's rankings at Fox Sports and Kurt Helin's power rankings at Pro Basketball Talk.

Overall, that gives the Bulls an average power ranking of 11.4. The Bulls have a big week of Central Division matchups ahead against the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.