Raptors to host play-in game against Bulls(2023.4.12)
Toronto Raptors' guard Fred VanVleet is confident that the Eastern Conference play-in tournament format will work in their favor. The ninth-seeded Raptors will host the tenth-seeded Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, giving them the opportunity to focus on one thing before shifting their attention to the next.
The victor of this game will move on to Miami Heat on Friday and have the chance to face the Milwaukee Bucks, the top seed in the Eastern Conference during the first round of the playoffs. The Heat lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, which means they will face the winner of the Toronto-Chicago game.
VanVleet describes the upcoming match as "not exactly the playoffs but a similar type of preparation, getting ready for win or go home." It is the perfect opportunity for Toronto to hone their skills before the playoffs.
Toronto has won the regular-season series against Chicago 2-1, with both victories coming on their home floor. The Raptors (41-41) and the Bulls (40-42) have not played each other since Toronto's 104-98 home win on Feb. 28.
Toronto's strategy is to limit the touches and attempts of Chicago's leading scorers, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. The Raptors' O.G. Anunoby stated, "Just us in the game plan, trying to limit his touches and force him out as much as possible, try to make it as difficult as possible." VanVleet echoed the sentiment, stating that "those two guys you don't really guard with just one person. It takes a five-man group. Definitely, I think limiting touches and attempts is your best way to start on those guys."
The Bulls' 20 turnovers in the Feb. 28 meeting led to 21 Raptors points. Improving on this trend, as well as ball security, can only help. The Bulls averaged just 10.4 made 3-pointers per game during the regular season, which was tied for last in the NBA. Since the All-Star break, however, Chicago has been the best in the league in fewest opponent points per game allowed (107.9), slightly better than Toronto (108.6).
Despite an inconsistent season following their playoff run in 2021-22, the Bulls are feeling refreshed. Knowing their seeding several days before the regular-season finale allowed coach Billy Donovan to manage minutes and adjust the team's collective mindset to the novelty of the play-in tournament.
DeRozan, a former Raptor, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and being prepared. He said, "When you've got to pack a bag, you've got to pack with the understanding that if you win, we've got to go somewhere else and compete for another game... It's kind of that unknowing. You want to make sure you make that luggage useful instead of just going back home. I think everybody's going to feel it packing that bag, understanding that we're not just going to play one game."
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