The Bulls are currently in the race for the play-in game, battling the Wizards and Raptors for the 10th seed in the East. As of Friday, the Bulls sat in 11th place in the East.
But the Bulls own the tiebreaker over both the aforementioned opponents, noted NBC Sports Chicago’s Rob Schaefer, keeping hope alive for the final 10 games.
Not making the play-in game would serve as a major downer, coach Billy Donovan indicated, especially after the big trade for Nikola Vucevic last month. The Bulls also landed Daniel Theis at the trade deadline.
“It definitely would be a big smack in the face,” forward Thaddeus Young said, “if we made all these changes and adjustments to our team, and we can’t follow through or push through into the playoffs.”
More from the Central
- Point guard Frank Jackson hasn’t had much success in terms of his NBA career, but seems to think that’s changing in his first run with the Pistons. Jackson signed a two-way contract in December, and a slew of injuries have resulted in him getting more minutes. “Every time I step onto the floor, I feel more comfortable as a player,” he told reporters.
- Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo rolled his ankle 32 seconds in Thursday’s loss in Houston and after another possession, left the game for good. “We’re hopeful it’s not serious,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We’ll see how he responds to treatment tonight, treatment tomorrow, get an update at some point (Friday). But I think we’re hopeful that it’s … well obviously he couldn’t play or finish, it’s not something significant or serious.”
- ICYMI. Despite some promising young players, the Cavs’ roster remains in flux entering the third straight offseason, I wrote in my latest Dribbles column.