The Chicago Bulls advanced to the final game of the play-in tournament against the Miami Heat after a massive comeback win over the Toronto Raptors.
The Bulls walked out of Toronto as 109-105 winners in a game where they were on the back foot until the fourth quarter, being down by as many as 19 points at a point. Fans went crazy at the incredible fight shown by Chicago.
COMEBACK BULLS. SEE YOU IN MIAMI. pic.twitter.com/KSbiUY72kr
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 13, 2023
Diar DeRozan’s incredible antics from the crowd caused the Raptors to possibly have the worst free-throw shooting night of the season.
demar derozan’s daughter screamed every time the raptors were at the free throw line
the raptors missed 18 free throws
the bulls won by 4
everybody say hello to your 2023 play-in MVP
pic.twitter.com/jZ9hPdOP0g
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) April 13, 2023
Zach LaVine’s performance on the night was incredible and fans appreciated him.
Zach Lavine and Diar Derozan in the play-in https://t.co/1SVopcqcqy
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) April 13, 2023
LaVine was heralded for his clutch impact.
This is everything right here. This is why Zach LaVine is one of the very best players in the world. Creation in the clutch is king.
🎥 @chicagobulls pic.twitter.com/G7GU3VcOK1
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) April 13, 2023
This ended up being the first 19-point lead blown by the Raptors since November 2018.
The Bulls defeat the Raptors behind Zach LaVine's 32 2nd-half points.
Toronto led by 19 with 9:09 left in the 3rd.
The Raptors had not blown a 19-point lead in a loss since Nov. 14, 2018 vs the Pistons, a span of 1,610 days. pic.twitter.com/E6KFfVhyQp
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) April 13, 2023
The Bulls also became the first-ever 10th seed to win a game in the play-in tournament.
The Bull are the first 10th seed team to win a Play-In game in Tournament history.
Chicago trailed by as much as 19 points, then mounted a comeback thanks to 30 points in the second half from Zach LaVine.
Bulls will face the Heat on Friday for the eighth seed in the East. pic.twitter.com/Qg4B0ICR2s
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) April 13, 2023
Diar DeRozan kept getting love, this time with a different LeBron James moment.
Demar Daughter to the Raptors entire team https://t.co/EwkC1Cd72H pic.twitter.com/JM7lDIg5e9
— 🇭🇹Chief🏁 (@NukeSZN) April 13, 2023
The irony of the Raptors trading DeRozan away and him eliminating them tonight was not lost as well.
Tough scene for Raptors fans tonight as DeMar DeRozan comes into Toronto and helps eliminate his former team 😬 pic.twitter.com/fn7Qm305xP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 13, 2023
Zach LaVine had a sensational night with 39 points. DeMar DeRozan had an efficient 23-point performance to primarily carry the Bulls’ offense alongside LaVine. The Raptors saw Pascal Siakam score 32 points but later miss free throws that would’ve tied the game with a chance at OT. Fred VanVleet had a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds while Scottie Barned had 19 points and 10 rebounds,
Missed free throws were a bane for the Raptors as they shot just 50% on the night. While Diar DeRozan’s performance as a fan may have played a part in it, a lot of the flaws that made Toronto a 9th seed in the first place showed as their season ends in a fugue of confusion about the future.
Can The Bulls Return To The Playoffs?
The Bulls haven’t been regular fixtures in the playoffs for some time now, ending a playoff drought just last year when they made it as the 6th seed. The team doesn’t own their pick, so they have to maximize their push this season. Nikola Vucevic thought they couldn’t save themselves midway through the season, but are now one win away from getting a first-round rematch with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Heat still are a deeper team and have more talent but the Bulls’ defense may be able to stifle them, as the Atlanta Hawks had done. The offensive prowess of LaVine and DeRozan can help the Bulls’ outpace the Heat in what may be a very tough game for both franchises.
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