Bulls Rally To Eliminate Raptors
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the host Toronto Raptors, 109-105, in the Play-In Tournament at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Raptors got out to a solid start with a, 28-23, lead after one quarter, and they kept the upper hand to push it to an 11-point game by halftime. The Raptors carried the momentum into the third quarter and rallied to 19-point lead, before the Bulls managed to cut it back to a nine-point deficit heading into the final frame. The visitors kept the momentum going in the fourth and tied it up at 93, with six minutes left. The Bulls knocked down a go-ahead three and stayed a step ahead the rest of the way to eliminate the Raptors and earn themselves a shot at the eighth seed.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 39 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 40 minutes. DeMar DeRozan followed up with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Nikola Vucevic added 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. The Bulls shot 48.8 percent from the field, including 7-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 42 minutes. Fred VanVleet followed up with 26 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, while Scottie Barnes added 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. The Raptors shot 43.7 percent from the field, including 11-of-31 from long range.
The Bulls move on the face the Heat in Miami on Friday for the final playoff spot in the East.
The Raptors got out to a solid start with a, 28-23, lead after one quarter, and they kept the upper hand to push it to an 11-point game by halftime. The Raptors carried the momentum into the third quarter and rallied to 19-point lead, before the Bulls managed to cut it back to a nine-point deficit heading into the final frame. The visitors kept the momentum going in the fourth and tied it up at 93, with six minutes left. The Bulls knocked down a go-ahead three and stayed a step ahead the rest of the way to eliminate the Raptors and earn themselves a shot at the eighth seed.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 39 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 40 minutes. DeMar DeRozan followed up with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Nikola Vucevic added 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. The Bulls shot 48.8 percent from the field, including 7-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 42 minutes. Fred VanVleet followed up with 26 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, while Scottie Barnes added 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. The Raptors shot 43.7 percent from the field, including 11-of-31 from long range.
The Bulls move on the face the Heat in Miami on Friday for the final playoff spot in the East.
Thunder Defeat Pelicans, 123-118
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host New Orleans Pelicans, 123-118, in the Play-In Tournament at Smoothie Kings Center on Wednesday.
There were 13 ties and 13 lead changes in this elimination game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. A 39-24 third quarter carried Oklahoma City to their win, grabbing a game-high lead at the end of that frame. The Thunder didn't dominate any specific statistic, but they won most of them. They outperformed New Orleans in steals, blocks, turnovers, points in the paint, second-chance points, points off of turnovers and fastbreak scoring. The 21-11 points off of turnover differential were the only major discrepancy.
The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 32 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Josh Giddey generated 31 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Luguentz Dort amassed 27 points and five rebounds, while Jalen Williams had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jaylin Williams totaled eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Pelicans were led by Brandon Ingram, finishing with 32 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Trey Murphy tallied 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. Herbert Jones accrued 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points, 18 rebounds and four assists. CJ McCollum compiled 14 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
That will end the season for New Orleans. As for Oklahoma City, they'll travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the final Play-In Tournament game on Friday.
There were 13 ties and 13 lead changes in this elimination game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. A 39-24 third quarter carried Oklahoma City to their win, grabbing a game-high lead at the end of that frame. The Thunder didn't dominate any specific statistic, but they won most of them. They outperformed New Orleans in steals, blocks, turnovers, points in the paint, second-chance points, points off of turnovers and fastbreak scoring. The 21-11 points off of turnover differential were the only major discrepancy.
The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 32 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Josh Giddey generated 31 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Luguentz Dort amassed 27 points and five rebounds, while Jalen Williams had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jaylin Williams totaled eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Pelicans were led by Brandon Ingram, finishing with 32 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Trey Murphy tallied 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. Herbert Jones accrued 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points, 18 rebounds and four assists. CJ McCollum compiled 14 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
That will end the season for New Orleans. As for Oklahoma City, they'll travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the final Play-In Tournament game on Friday.