Chicago, 10th in the Eastern Conference, won 105-109 over Toronto, 9th in the regular season. Led by 19 points (66-47) at the start of the third quarter, the Bulls were able to count on Zach LaVine, author of 30 of his 39 points in the second half, to reverse the situation. The Raptors, put into orbit by Pascal Siakam (32 points) and Fred VanVleet (26 points) in the first period, cracked at the end of the match, showing themselves in particular to be feverish at free throws (18/36).
Chicago will travel Friday to Miami (N.7) for the last round of the play-ins. The winner will then meet Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs.
In the West, Oklahoma City (N.10) won 118-123 in New Orleans. The match remained undecided until the end. The Thunder took a definitive advantage 28 seconds from the end, following a basket from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (114-115). Gilgeous-Alexander (32 points), Josh Goddey (31 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds) and Luguentz Dort (27 points) shared the leading roles in Oklahoma City. Brandon Ingram (30 points) tried until the end to snatch the extension for New Orleans, in particular with a three-point basket 4 seconds from the end.
Oklahoma City will meet Minnesota (N.8) in the final of these play-offs, with the key to a first round of the playoffs once morest Denver.
