Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls Play-in tournament game vs. Toronto Raptors

DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls will try to keep their season alive when they visit the Raptors in the play-in tournament.

© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls visit the Toronto Raptors in a win-or-go-home Play-in tournament game on Wednesday. The Bulls are coming in from a 103-81 home win against the Pistons in the regular season finale on Sunday. Zach LaVine led the way with 17 points, DeMar DeRozan had 16 points and five assists, and Carlik Jones added 11 points off the bench in the victory.

The winner of this game moves on to face the Miami Heat.

No. 10 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 9 Toronto Raptors

Wednesday, April 12 – 7:00 PM ET at Scotiabank Arena

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.1 (22nd of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 111.8 (7th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 31.3 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 98.5 (19th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.5 (24th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112.2 (5th of 30)
• Net Rating: +1.3 (13th of 30)

Toronto Raptors

• Points Per Game: 112.9 (24th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 111.4 (4th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 28 (29th of 30)
• Pace: 97.1 (26th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 115.5 (11th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 114 (12th of 30)
• Net Rating: +1.5 (12th of 30)

Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam will be a problem

Fred VanVleet had 12 points, eight assists, and two steals on 3-of-11 shooting in a 121-102 road loss for the Raptors against Boston, but he averaged 20 points, eight assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 36.3 minutes over three games against the Bulls this season.

VanVleet averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 36.7 minutes over 69 games this season, and his skills more than supplement Pascal Siakam. The Raptors go as VanVleet goes.

Siakam is Toronto's best player, but VanVleet makes things happen for them. The offense runs through him and he can elevate the entire team. The Bulls must contain VanVleet to keep their season alive.

DeMar DeRozan has to shine in Toronto

Deebo has been stellar for the Bulls, averaging 26.2 points, five assists, and 4.9 rebounds over 36.2 minutes in 150 career games with them in the last two seasons. Still, DeRozan's playoff issues haven't disappeared.

Last year, DeRozan averaged just 20.8 points on 41.1 percent shooting in the Bulls' five games against the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs, down from his 27.9 points on 50.4 percent shooting in the 2021-22 regular season.

The Bulls will probably not advance in the Play-in tournament unless DeRozan puts an end to his playoff struggles. Destiny works in mysterious ways, and DeRozan will have an opportunity to silence his doubters against his former team and help the Bulls season alive. He must embrace this challenge.

Noteworthy

• The Raptors won the last meeting, 104-98 on February 28. Vucevic led the Bulls with 23 points.

• The Raptors won the regular season series 2-1. The teams played twice in Toronto and once in Chicago, and the home team won each contest.

• Toronto beat Chicago three of the last five times.

• The Bulls are 7-3 in the last 10 matchups against the Raptors.

Projected lineups

• Bulls: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

• Raptors: Poeltl, Siakam, Anunoby, Barnes, VanVleet

Injury report

• Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury.

• Raptors: Otto Porter Jr. (left foot) is out.