The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors squared off in what was the 70th game of the season for both teams. This year’s shorter schedule for the NBA regular season, 72 games, means both teams have two more games remaining as they head into the weekend.
The Bulls picked up a 114-102 victory behind a well-rounded offensive performance that saw six different players reach the double-digit scoring mark. It helped that the Raptors were severely shorthanded in this one, as they played without Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.
The Bulls, meanwhile, were missing Daniel Theis and Troy Brown Jr. It was a potentially important game in regards to the Bulls (slight) playoff chances which remain intact as of now. We’ll discuss those chances and how things would need to play out. We’ve covered some potential ramifications of missing the playoffs, as well.
That being said, most of the takeaways from this game are positives as the team seems to be learning about themselves and taking solid steps toward being an improved team when next season rolls around.
Chicago Bulls Takeaways: Not impossible to make play-in, but improbable
Take this one with a grain of salt, as it sounds better than it truly is. That is the reason we’re getting it out of the way first before moving on to things that should actually have Bulls fans excited or at least optimistic.
By beating the Raptors, the Bulls live to see another day in terms of having a route to making the play-in tournament. Unfortunately, as most Bulls fans already know, they do not control their own fate.
The Washington Wizards need to win just one of their remaining two games and the Bulls are eliminated, regardless of the outcome of Chicago’s final two games. That means the Bulls could have their fate confirmed as early as Friday night when the Wizards take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs are 1-9 in their last ten games played. Additionally, they are 0-2 on the season against the Wizards entering Friday’s game.
Long story short: the Wizards would need to gift the Bulls a play-in tournament appearance by losing to both the Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets to close the season. The Bulls would also need to win their remaining two games, one against the Brooklyn Nets and one against the Milwaukee Bucks, to leapfrog the Wizards.
Don’t hold your breath, it isn’t happening. That is fine to accept.
Chicago Bulls Takeaways: 4-1 since Zach LaVine’s return
This is another takeaway that could be viewed in a negative light. Unlike missing the playoffs, though, this one can also be viewed in a positive light as the team looks ahead to the offseason and eventually next season.
The team was dealt a tough hand when Zach LaVine entered the league’s Health and Safety Protocols. There was nothing they could do, or LaVine himself could do at that point to get him back with the team.
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Instead of wondering what could have been or where they would have finished had that never happened, it makes more sense to move forward. What is done is done. Everyone should just be thankful he is OK and happy to see him take the court a few more times this season.
Since his return, the Bulls have won four out of five games. Their only loss came to the Nets, a game in which LaVine was just about the only player that showed up for the Bulls and almost stole them a victory over the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving led Nets.
Now, to be fair, the Bulls wins have not come against the greatest competition. Still, they beat a few teams ahead of them in the standings like the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets.
It’s nothing to scream from the rooftops about, but it’s a nice way to close out the season. That is especially true for LaVine, who made his first all-star team this year and was having a stellar season that got derailed by health and safety protocols.
Seeing him close it out in equally impressive fashion is good for him and a nice reminder of what fans have to be excited about moving forward. LaVine may have been on his way to an All-NBA team if he didn’t miss the extended time and as a result, the Chicago Bulls won a few more games.
We may never know. One thing we already know, though, is that this team is top-heavy in talent that can win them a good number of games over the course of a full NBA season together. As they’ve gotten comfortable as a group and somewhat healthy, their play has moved in the right direction.
There is still a lot of work to be done moving forward, but the strong record since LaVine’s return is a positive development given the circumstances.
Chicago Bulls Takeaways: Coby White confident at Point Guard
Coby White recorded his fifth double-double of the season in the win over the Raptors. The second-year guard finished the game with 17 points and 10 assists while committing just two turnovers.
It was another one of those games that reminds you he is still so young and has so much talent. Although those games have become a bit of a trend since he was reinserted into the starting unit. Coby continued his great play in this one, and the assists with limited turnovers were the best part of his performance.
A postgame quote stood out to me and is worth sharing. Via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, White had this to say following his impressive performance:
Coby White: "A lotta guys my age, especially being taken out of the starting lineup, you coulda handled that two different ways. You could've pouted and just said, 'Forget it. F it.' Or you coulda just kept playing and get better. And I chose to continue to stay on the grind."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 14, 2021
His performances are one thing, but I think he makes a great point with his comments here. White was a high lottery pick that saw far too little playing time during his rookie season under former head coach Jim Boylen. Under his new coach, he got a demotion to a bench role relatively quickly.
It is safe to say many players his age would not have handled it as he did. Not only did he stay positive, but he also found a way to improve his game for his next opportunity. That opportunity came when LaVine was initially ruled out and White immediately stepped up to the plate in a big way.
In the month of May, Coby is averaging 18.3 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Add in his blistering 43.1 percent shooting from behind the arc and it seems as though White is making a statement to the front office and coaching staff about his place on the team moving forward.
There are steps to be taken still. Specifically on the defensive end of the court. White’s attitude and approach throughout what has been a rocky campaign should give fans and his teammate’s reason to believe in him, though.
There is no limit to the improvements he can make during the offseason if he maintains the level head he has shown this year. Rounding out his game as he learns the life of an NBA point guard offers immense potential for the North Carolina product.
As a bonus, he also threw down this dunk that had his Chicago Bulls teammates hyped. You have to love seeing him make a play like this that is only possible if you are confident without hesitation.