6:00 P.M.: Raptors, Bulls Play For Final Playoff Spot
With the superior head-to-head record, the Raptors hold the tiebreaker if the teams end with identical records. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- If the Raptors win Sunday, they need only a win or a Bulls loss to reach the playoffs.
- If the Bulls win Sunday, they control their own destiny.
Our Bulls blog, Blog a Bull, questions how much these teams really want a playoff spot:
The Bulls next two games against a still-competing Celtics and aformidable home team in Charlotte. The Raptors are against the lottery-bound Knicks and Pistons. Whoever wins today's game is likely going to get this final playoff spot that neither team seems to want.
Even after the loss to New Jersey, I'm still confident the Bulls can pull this out, merely because it's possible Toronto doesn't win another game. They're winless with Chris Bosh out of the lineup so far.
Our Raptors blog, Raptors HQ, sees the Cavs up ahead and puts this game into according perspective:
WIth both teams coming off losses, the Bulls having lost a heartbreaker in New Jersey in double overtime, neither team has exactly been making a late season push for the playoffs. No matter who actually takes the final playoff spot in the East they will be limping in like a lamb rather than roaring in like a lion.
Actually, given the team that takes the final playoff spot has a date with the Cleveland Cavaliers this might be the most significant game either team plays this season even if they DO make the playoffs.
There you go: more pragmatism than you can shake a stick at.
The two teams tip off at 6:00 Eastern. As game time approaches, be sure to check out open game threads at Blog a Bull and Raptors HQ.
Preview courtesy of Sports Network.
The NBA's final playoff berth could very well be on the line tonight as the Chicago Bulls visit the Toronto Raptors.
The Bulls and Raptors are deadlocked for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference with just three games to play.
The victor tonight will be in the driver’s seat but the Raptors lead the season series 2-0, so they own the tiebreaker regardless of the outcome. If Toronto wins, the Raptors’ magic number would be one and they could clinch the playoff berth with a win at Detroit on Monday or a Chicago loss vs. Boston on Tuesday.
Things are a bit more convoluted and difficult for Chicago since the Raptors own the tiebreaker. The Bulls need to win tonight and in one of their final two games while hoping for one more Toronto loss. The only way the Bulls can make the playoffs with a loss tonight would be to close the season with wins over Boston and at Charlotte, coupled with the Raptors losing at Detroit and at home against the New York Knicks.
Both teams had a chance to seize control on Friday but Chicago lost in double overtime at New Jersey and Toronto fell in Atlanta.
Rookie Terrence Williams recorded his first career triple-double, pouring in a career-high 27 points to go with 13 rebounds and 10 helpers in the Nets' 127-116 double-overtime win over Chicago.
Brad Miller had 27 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Bulls.
"It's tough. You know you have it at hand and we have a huge game against Toronto on Sunday," said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. "There are no excuses. We should've made some plays. We didn't. Now we have to go to Toronto and battle there."
Derrick Rose recorded 25 points, six assists and six rebounds, while Luol Deng had 19 points in defeat, Chicago's second in three games.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta Jamal Crawford finished with 25 points to lead a balanced attack, as the Hawks got back on track with a 107-101 victory over the Raptors.
Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson had 18 points each for the Raptors, who were minus All-Star Chris Bosh, who suffered a facial fracture Tuesday against the Cavaliers and is done for the regular season.
Hedo Turkoglu, who suffered a nasal fracture Wednesday against Boston, played Friday with a facemask and finished with nine points and nine rebounds as Toronto continued to slide, losing its fourth straight.
"Second quarter we forced them to miss shots and they run and get it," said Toronto head coach Jay Triano. "I think two of them were three-pointers and 13 second-chance points in the second quarter and that was the difference. You can't give this team second opportunities. We just didn't box out. I wish I could say it was one guy. That was our downfall."
