Miracle?
It looks like Chicago may have gotten their miracle with Toronto blowing that home game to the Warriors and then losing Chris Bosh to a regular season ending injury.
Let's see, where are we now
Chicago have 37 wins and 40 losses while the Raptors have 38 wins and 40 losses. Toronto hold the tiebreaker so Chicago have to overtake them.
Bulls remaining games -- Cavs + @ Nets + @ Raptors + Celtics + @ Bobcats
Raptors remaining games -- @ Hawks + Bulls + @ Pistons + Knicks
Probable Outcomes
Chicago has two very difficult games against a very good and an elite opponent in the Cavs and Celtics. It looks like Boston will be fighting for third place with Atlanta so they're unlikely to rest any of their players. Both are probable losses. Chicago has a game against NJ which should be a comfortable win. Then the Raptors which also should be a win since Bosh is out otherwise I'd fancy the Raptors chances. And finally, the Bobcats, in Charlotte, last game of the season which could go either way. Slight edge to the Bobcats but it's close. So they're likely to finish the season with a 3-2 or 2-3 record. That leaves Chicago with either 39 or 40 wins.
Toronto has two probably losses against the Hawks and Bulls and two 50-50 games against the Pistons and Knicks. Let's say they split those 50-50 games. So a likely 1-3 record but possibly a 2-2 record or an 0-4 record. A 1-3 record brings them up to 39 wins on the season.
So, if the Raptors win just one of their remaining four games ... the Bulls would have to win three of their own including against their game against the Raptors.
Frontrunner
I think the Raptors are still ever so slight favourites in this playoff race but suddenly things have gotten very close.
It looks like Chicago may have gotten their miracle with Toronto blowing that home game to the Warriors and then losing Chris Bosh to a regular season ending injury.
Let's see, where are we now
Chicago have 37 wins and 40 losses while the Raptors have 38 wins and 40 losses. Toronto hold the tiebreaker so Chicago have to overtake them.
Bulls remaining games -- Cavs + @ Nets + @ Raptors + Celtics + @ Bobcats
Raptors remaining games -- @ Hawks + Bulls + @ Pistons + Knicks
Probable Outcomes
Chicago has two very difficult games against a very good and an elite opponent in the Cavs and Celtics. It looks like Boston will be fighting for third place with Atlanta so they're unlikely to rest any of their players. Both are probable losses. Chicago has a game against NJ which should be a comfortable win. Then the Raptors which also should be a win since Bosh is out otherwise I'd fancy the Raptors chances. And finally, the Bobcats, in Charlotte, last game of the season which could go either way. Slight edge to the Bobcats but it's close. So they're likely to finish the season with a 3-2 or 2-3 record. That leaves Chicago with either 39 or 40 wins.
Toronto has two probably losses against the Hawks and Bulls and two 50-50 games against the Pistons and Knicks. Let's say they split those 50-50 games. So a likely 1-3 record but possibly a 2-2 record or an 0-4 record. A 1-3 record brings them up to 39 wins on the season.
So, if the Raptors win just one of their remaining four games ... the Bulls would have to win three of their own including against their game against the Raptors.
Frontrunner
I think the Raptors are still ever so slight favourites in this playoff race but suddenly things have gotten very close.
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