Tag: play-in tournament

Chicago Bulls’ playoff dreams shattered in embarrassing loss to Miami Heat

Chicago’s season ends in a 112-91 loss to the Heat.

The Chicago Bulls have been one of the best clutch teams in the NBA in the 2023-24 season. But when their final play-in game was drawing to a close, the Miami Heat had ballooned a lead with a massive run in the game’s third quarter that the Bulls never managed to respond to.

Chicago’s season would end in a 112-91 loss to the Heat, who managed the win even without star forward Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined with an MCL injury that will likely have him out for several weeks. The Bulls have had awful luck this season, and some of that luck has been made by the lack of moves made by the team’s front office.

Rather than load up with some help at the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline, the Bulls stood pat despite having two key backcourt players out injured.

The season ended as it went — poorly executed, and disappointing for the fans. The hosts of the “CHGO Bulls Postgame” podcast weighed in on the end of Chicago’s season. Check it out above.

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DeMar DeRozan recalls frustration after 2023 Play-In loss to Heat

Ahead of their rematch, DeMar DeRozan recalled the frustration after the Chicago Bulls’ 2023 loss to the Miami Heat in the Play-In.

The Chicago Bulls took down the Atlanta Hawks in the nine-ten game of the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night, and now, they are staring a chance at redemption right in the face. For the second year in a row, they are set to face off against the Miami Heat in the second Play-In game with a chance at a playoff spot on the line.

Last year, the Bulls were in control for a lot of the game, only for the Heat to go on a run in the last five minutes, sending Chicago packing. Miami went on to make the NBA Finals, and the Bulls went home sad.

Ahead of their rematch, DeMar DeRozan recalled the bitter feelings that occurred after their loss one year ago. (H/t Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times)

“I remember that plane ride home vividly,” DeRozan said. “Everyone was frustrated. That feeling sucked. I know for me that was one thing on my mind when I realized we’re going back to Miami, not to have that feeling.”

With Jimmy Butler hobbled, the Bulls have a great shot this time around.

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Coby White’s career game helps keep Chicago Bulls’ season alive in play-in win vs. Hawks

White had one of his best all-around tilts at the NBA level to date,.

While it is certainly possible that the Chicago Bulls could have come out on top in their 131-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks at United Center this past Wednesday (April 17) without the career game from Bulls guard Coby White, it certainly would not have been as emphatic of a win.

White had one of his best all-around tilts at the NBA level to date, scoring a career-high 42 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in 43 minutes of floor time. The North Carolina alum shot a sizzling 15-of-21 from the floor overall, 3-of-7 from deep, and a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the charity stripe with no fouls and just 3 turnovers.

“It was a dope moment for that to happen,” said White postgame via the AP. “I’m thankful for the fans. It felt like a playoff vibe. The place was rocking tonight.”

The folks behind the “Bulls Central” YouTube channel took a moment to break down White’s big game in context for what he will need to do to help keep Chicago’s season alive in a recent video. Check it out above!

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Chicago Bulls keep their playoff hopes alive with play-in win vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Bulls advance another step towards the full playoffs.

Before the key tilt tipped off at United Center on this past Wednesday (April 17), it was not at all clear who might win the 9 – 10 play-in game for the Eastern Conference. But thanks to extraordinary play from Chicago Bulls point guard Coby White and some mediocre play from the Atlanta Hawks, the question surrounding the Bulls is now whether they can win once more to make the regular playoffs.

Pending their looming tilt vs. the Miami Heat on this coming Friday (April 20), Chicago gets the dubious honor of facing either the East juggernaut that is the Boston Celtics should they win, or a jump start on their offseason if they lose.

The hosts of the “Locked On Bulls” podcast, Haize and Pat the Designer, took a closer look at the win for Chicago on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what hey had to say about the Bulls’ playoff hopes.

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Coby White shows love to fans after Bulls’ Play-In win over Hawks

After his monster game in the Play-In Tournament against the Atlanta Hawks, Coby White showed love to the Chicago Bulls fans in attendance.

With their season on the line, the Chicago Bulls welcomed the Atlanta Hawks to United Center for the nine-ten Play-In game. The winner would go on to play the Miami Heat for a chance to make the playoffs and take on the Boston Celtics, while the loser would see their season end in the blink of an eye.

Luckily for the Bulls, Coby White stepped up in a big way. After struggling mightily to end the season after coming back from an injury, White popped off in the Play-In Tournament game, dropping a career-high 42 points against the Hawks and leading the Bulls to a 131-116 victory.

After the game, White showed his appreciation to the fans at United Center for supporting him throughout his huge night. (H/t ESPN)

“It was a dope moment for that to happen,” White said. “I’m thankful for the fans. It felt like a playoff vibe. The place was rocking tonight.”

In addition to his 42 points, White also had nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He shot 15-of-21 from the field and 3-of-7 from behind the three-point line.

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Bulls’ Coby White shares thoughts on pressure of Play-In Tournament

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White spoke about the pressure of playing in the Play-In Tournament.

The Chicago Bulls began the season in quite a predicament. They started the year 5-14, and it looked as though they could earn themselves a one-way ticket to the NBA Draft Lottery. However, they turned their season around. In spite of injuries to Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams, the Bulls pushed their way back up the East standings.

They weren’t able to get all the way back into the playoffs, but they are in the Play-In Tournament. They’ll need to win two games if they want to make the playoffs, but it all starts with the nine-ten game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Coby White recently discussed the pressure that comes with playing in a win-or-go-home game, noting that he just wants to treat it like any other game. (H/t Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune)

“I don’t want it to feel different,” he said. “For me, every game this year was important. This is no different.”

The Bulls’ entire season hinges on one game.

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Warriors’ season ends with 118-94 loss to Kings in play-in tournament

The Warriors season came to an end on Tuesday night with a 118-94 loss to the Kings in first leg of the play-in tournament.

After Golden State ousted the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Kings reciprocated on Tuesday night.

In the first leg of the play-in tournament, the Kings secured an early lead and never looked back. The Kings blasted the Warriors in Sacramento, 118-94, ending Golden State’s season in disappointing fashion.

Despite winning 9-of-10 road games in the final stretch of the season, the Warriors went ice-cold in Sacramento on Tuesday night. Steph Curry led the Warriors with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field. Curry was the only member of the Warriors to register three of more 3-pointers made against the Kings.

Klay Thompon uncharacteristically went quiet, going scoreless against the Kings on 0-of-10 shooting from the field and 0-of-6 from deep.

Golden State’s young trio of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody provided some life. Kuminga tallied 16 points, and Moody added 16 off the bench. However, it wasn’t enough.

The Warriors had no answer for Keegan Murray on Tuesday. Murray tallied 32 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. The sophomore forward from Iowa caught fire from deep, hitting eight 3-pointers against the Warriors.

De’Aaron Fox added 24 points, six assists and four rebounds on the way to a 26-point win over the Warriors.

The Kings move on to play the New Orleans Pelicans with a chance to secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and play the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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How will Chicago Bulls fare against Atlanta Hawks in Play-In

A preview and prediction for the Chicago Bulls’ Play-In game against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Chicago Bulls have had a very weird season. They began the year at 5-14 but quickly turned things around. However, they also dealt with a ton of injuries throughout the year, with both Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams missing significant time. Now, they find themselves in the Play-In Tournament.

They will be squaring off against the Atlanta Hawks, hosting them at the United Center in the nine-ten game. DeMar DeRozan vs. Trae Young. Coby White vs. Dejounte Murray. Nikola Vuecvic vs. Jalen Johnson. Both teams will be fighting to keep their seasons alive, but only one squad will be able to walk away victorious.

The Bulls Central YouTube channel recently gave out a prediction for the game, previewing the matchup in the process.

Chicago has been great in clutch situations all season, and there isn’t a more clutch situation than a win-or-go-home game. Nothing is certain, but if the Bulls want to keep playing meaningful basketball, they need a win.

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Injury Report: Warriors’ Gary Payton II out for play-in game vs. Kings

The Warriors will be without a key piece in the second unit for the play-in tournament.

In a win-or-go-home play-in tournament game on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings, the Golden State Warriors will be without a key contributor off the bench.

On Monday, Steve Kerr announced Gary Payton II will miss Tuesday’s game against the Kings. Along with missing Tuesday’s elimination game in Sacramento, Kerr ruled out Payton II for Golden State’s second play-in game on Friday if the Warriors were to win and advance.

Via @kendra__andrews on Twitter:

Payton II was sidelined for the Warriors’ final three games of the regular season with a calf injury. Payton II has played 44 games this season, averaging 5.5 points on 56.3% shooting from the field with 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 15.5 minutes off the bench.

With Payton II out, the Warriors will likely use Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody alongside Chris Paul in their second-unit backcourt.

The Warriors will meet the Kings at 7 p.m. PT in the first round of the play-in tournament on Tuesday evening. While the loser’s season will be over, the winner will advance to play the loser of the No. 7 seed New Orleans Pelicans and No. 8 seed Los Angeles Lakers.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Breaking down the Chicago Bulls’ play-in matchup with the Atlanta Hawks

The Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, or Indiana Pacers could also be waiting for them should they advance.

The Chicago Bulls had big hopes at the start of the NBA’s 2023-24 season, but injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, and Patrick Williams had something else to say about that hoped-for outcome. Now, instead of a bounce-back season for the Bulls after a few disappointing ones, Chicago is staring down a tilt (or more) in the league’s play-in tournament.

But the Bulls at least have a long runway to study up on how they will play the Atlanta Hawks, the opponent they are locked into for that first contest of the tourney. The Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, or Indiana Pacers could also be waiting for them should they advance, but one game at a time for now.

On a recent episode of the “Bulls Talk” podcast, hosts K.C. Johnson and Kevin Anderson took a closer look at Chicago’s play-in outlook.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

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