Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Derrick Rose scored a game-high 27 points, as the Chicago Bulls clinched the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a 98-89 victory over the playoff-bound Charlotte Bobcats.
NBA’s Final Night: Raptors, Bulls Both In Action, Playing For East’s Eight Seed
Joakim Noah added 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls (41-41), who needed a victory or Raptors loss to lock up the eighth seed. Toronto beat the Knicks on Wednesday.
Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, and Brad Miller each donated 11 points for Chicago, which is appearing in the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons and will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
Tyrus Thomas chipped in 16 points and nine boards for the Bobcats (44-38), who head into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Charlotte faces defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando in the opening round.
Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively, in defeat.
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