The NBA Play-In Tournament is a new addition to the league’s playoff format, introduced in the 2020-21 season. It is a mini-tournament that takes place after the regular season and before the playoffs, where teams compete for the final two spots in each conference’s playoff bracket. The tournament involves teams that finish between seventh and tenth place in their respective conferences.
The Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls are two teams that will be participating in the NBA Play-In Tournament this year. They will face each other in a crucial matchup on May 13th, 2021, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The winner of this game will advance to the next round of the tournament, where they will face the loser of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards.
The Raptors had a disappointing regular season, finishing with a record of 27-45. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013, ending their streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances. However, they have been playing better basketball lately, winning six of their last ten games. They will be looking to carry that momentum into the Play-In Tournament and secure a spot in the playoffs.
The Bulls, on the other hand, finished with a record of 31-41, which was not good enough to make the playoffs outright. However, they have also been playing well recently, winning four of their last five games. They will be hoping to continue that form and upset the Raptors on their home court.
The Raptors and the Bulls have faced each other twice this season, with each team winning one game. The first game was on December 27th, 2020, where the Bulls won 115-107 in Chicago. The second game was on March 14th, 2021, where the Raptors won 122-113 in Tampa Bay, Florida, where they played their home games this season due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Raptors will be without their star player, Kyle Lowry, who is out with a foot infection. Lowry has been the heart and soul of the Raptors for many years, and his absence will be felt. However, the Raptors have other talented players such as Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby, who will need to step up and lead the team.
The Bulls will be without their leading scorer, Zach LaVine, who is out due to COVID-19 protocols. LaVine has been one of the best players in the league this season, averaging 27.4 points per game. His absence will be a huge blow to the Bulls, but they still have other talented players such as Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Thaddeus Young.
In conclusion, the NBA Play-In Tournament is an exciting addition to the league’s playoff format, providing more opportunities for teams to make the playoffs. The matchup between the Raptors and the Bulls is a crucial one, with both teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top and advances to the next round of the tournament.
