The Chicago Bulls lost to the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament on Friday night. Does that mean they’re out of the NBA playoffs?
The Bulls couldn’t stop Jimmy Butler or the distance shooting of Max Strus in the final Eastern Conference play-in game of 2023, falling to the Heat, 102-91.
DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points with nine assists and four rebounds to leave Chicago. Nikola Vucevic led the team with nine rebounds. It wasn’t enough in the end.
Now it’s time for the Bulls to head home and lick their wounds. It’ll be awhile yet until they will have the chance to play again.
Are the Bulls out of the playoffs?
Yes, the loss to the Heat was the final nail in the coffin for the Bulls season. The game on Friday was set to decide which team would move on to play the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. That spot now belongs to the Heat.
It’s a disappointing end for Chicago. Last year they made the playoffs but lost in the first round to Milwaukee. The franchise remains without a playoff series victory since 2015 (when they beat the Bucks in the first round).
Where Chicago goes from here is the big question. They have aging stars, uninspiring draft capital and an uncertain future.
DeRozan may end up being traded. Nikola Vucevic, Javonte Green and Patrick Beverley are heading for free agency. Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White are set to be restricted free agents.
There’s a ton the Bulls need to sort out as the offseason stretches on. If they want back into the playoffs next year, they need to get it right.
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