The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder won their NBA Play-In games and are still alive in the fight for the final playoff spots. Away from home, the Chicago team had a Zach LaVine-inspired night to seek a resounding comeback over the Toronto Raptors by 109-105, while the Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans by 123-118 .
Scorer of the match, LaVine scored 39 points and ordered the resumption of the visitors, who lost by 19 points of disadvantage. Toronto topped the scoreboard for most of the game, but abused free throw errors and allowed the Bulls to react strongly.
LaVine had the support of DeMar DeRozan, author of 23 points, and Nikola Vucevic, responsible for a “double-double” of 14 points and 13 rebounds. For the Canadian team, Pascal Siakam scored 32 points and nine rebounds. And Fred VanVleet scored in double figures on two different courts: 26 points and 12 rebounds.
The Chicago team only needs one more win to reach the knockout stage. On Friday, they will face the Miami Heat in search of eighth place in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs. The winner of this game will face the Milwaukee Bucks, the best team in the regular season.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey run OKC
For the Western Conference play-in, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans and are still alive. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey scored 32 and 31 points respectively, leading the hosts. Luguentz Dort contributed 27 points. For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram was the man on the field with 30 points.
The Thunder return to the field on Friday for another win, this time against the Minnesota Timberwolves. If he wins, he will confirm his place in the playoffs. And he will have to face the tough confrontation with the Denver Nuggets, first place in the West in the regular season.
The two games scheduled for Friday will end the play-ins. Saturday, the playoffs will begin.
Decisive parts:
– April 14 (Friday): Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
PS: Whoever wins is in the playoffs as eighth place in the East.
Where to watch: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, TNT SPORTS and GAULES – 8:30 p.m.
– April 14 (Fri): Minnesota Timberwolves) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
PS: Whoever wins is in the playoffs as eighth place in the West.
Where to watch: ESPN and Star+ – 10:30 p.m.
So who’s going?
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NBA LEAGUE PASS: To stop worrying and watch all the games of the season, without exception, you can subscribe to NBA League Pass, the NBA’s own streaming system! 7 days free to try, enjoy!
O First Basketball now has a Telegram channel! Participate to receive firsthand and discuss top basketball news! (t.me/firstbasketball).
Read our latest news and always stay up to date with what’s happening in the NBA and the world of basketball. Follow First Basketball on Twitter, instagram and also in Youtube.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Beer evangelist. Incurable coffeeaholic. Internet expert.”