The Chicago Bulls have another big game tonight as they take on the Toronto Raptors in a game that will directly impact both team’s race for a playoff spot. Things are even more interesting due to the play in tournament this season, which directly lines up with where the Raptors and Bulls currently are in the standings.
If the season were to end today, the Bulls would take the final play-in spot while the Raptors would be the first team looking in from the outside. The Bulls enter tonight with a two-game lead over the Raptors for the 10th and final spot to earn the right to go to the actual NBA playoffs.
That makes this game that much more crucial for both teams. Toronto can make up ground quickly by beating the team they are chasing. On the other side, the Bulls can give themselves some extra separation for comfort as they continue learning how to play together as a group.
In what truly is a massive game for this Bulls group, here are three players you would be wise to keep an eye on in this one.
Chicago Bulls player to watch vs Raptors: Troy Brown Jr.
Bulls nation is pretty united in their high hopes for Brown Jr. in Chicago. Some expectations might be a little unfair to Brown Jr. himself but it’s awesome to see the third-best player the team added on the day of the deadline generate so much buzz in the city.
He was someone I had mentioned as a buy-low target that the front office should look into in the lead-up to the deadline. Obviously, I fall on the same side of the fence as the Bulls fans who think he could be a steal for the team.
With Garrett Temple again sidelined in this one there will be minutes to be had at the wing spot if head coach Billy Donovan chooses to call Brown Jr.’s number. Last game he played just 15 minutes, which left him as the eighth man in what was essentially an eight-man rotation.
Bulls fans want to see him get more of an opportunity and he may tonight against Toronto. The game before his 15-minute outing he saw 28 minutes and had six points to go along with seven rebounds.
If he can be relied on to hit the glass like that from the wing spot he will likely force himself into bigger minutes. The Bulls lack rebounding most nights and having a wing helping on the glass that also does so much is a blessing.
Keep an eye on how much he is involved in the rotation in this one and what he does with that time. In what should be approached as a must-win game by the team it will be very telling how the coaching staff currently views him.