The Chicago Bulls are feeling hopeful that Josh Giddey will recover in time for Thursday’s (AEST) NBA play-in matchup against the Miami Heat, following the Australian sensation’s absence in the season’s final game.
Instead, Giddey remained in Chicago to undergo treatment for his wrist injury, while the Bulls easily dispatched the Philadelphia 76ers, claiming a 122-102 victory on Monday (AEST).
This result pushed the Bulls to a 39-43 record, securing them the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference.
To advance to the playoffs, Chicago must triumph over the Heat (37-45) and subsequently defeat the loser of the play-in contest between the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks.
The victor of this final play-in game will take on the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan expressed “high level optimism” regarding Giddey’s chances to play against Miami.
Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls celebrates with teammates. Getty
During the regular season, Giddey averaged an impressive 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game.
According to Bulls PR, he is only the second player in the franchise’s history to achieve averages of at least 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, joining the ranks of none other than Michael Jordan, often hailed as the greatest NBA player of all time.
Magic Johnson posts up on Michael Jordan in 1991. Getty
In the meantime, the Los Angeles Clippers put in a hard-fought effort to secure their playoff spot, prompting the Golden State Warriors to enter the play-in tournament.
In a critical final game for Western Conference seeding, the Clippers triumphed over the Warriors 124-119 in overtime, clinching the No. 5 seed.
This result dropped the Warriors to No. 7, and they will face No. 8 Memphis on Wednesday (AEST), with the winner earning the No. 7 seed.
If Golden State had emerged victorious, the Clippers would have fallen to seventh.
James Harden played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 39 points along with 10 assists and seven rebounds, wrapping up an impressive All-Star season for the former MVP and leading the Clippers to their eighth consecutive win and a 50-32 record.
“We’re a good team and we’re excited to show the world,” Harden asserted.
The Western Conference bracket remained undecided until the final day, with several teams vying for various playoff positions after the top three—Oklahoma City, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers—had already been confirmed.
The Denver Nuggets managed to regroup following a tumultuous final week that saw the dismissal of coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, securing the No. 4 seed and home court advantage in the first round versus the Clippers with a 126-111 win over the Rockets.
Despite all teams—Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers—finishing with identical 50-32 records, Los Angeles secured the No. 3 seed due to a tiebreaker and will begin a series in LA for the first time since 2012.
The Timberwolves, in a flip of fortunes, finished in the No. 6 spot at 49-33 after defeating Utah 116-105, avoiding dropping to eighth in various scenarios.
Anthony Edwards shone with 43 points, reminding his teammates of the importance of not having to face an additional game.
“We definitely don’t want to play in the play-in, I’ve experienced both situations,” the All-Star guard remarked.
Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate. Getty
“We aim to enter the playoffs fully prepared. We want that entire week to strategise,” he added.
Equally, the Warriors are determined to succeed, as they have yet to win a game in the play-in tournament.
Had they secured a victory, they would have climbed to sixth place, triggering a highly anticipated playoff bout between Stephen Curry and LeBron James, while needing just two days to recover from their disappointment.
“We’re right where we want to be,” forward Jimmy Butler expressed confidently.
“We’ve still got the opportunity in our hands, we control our own fate. Everything is going to be alright.”
In the West, Sacramento occupies the No. 9 spot while Dallas holds No. 10.
They will compete in Sacramento, with the winner advancing to face the loser of the Golden State-Memphis game for a chance to meet the top-seeded Thunder in the opening round.
In the East, there was no last-day suspense, as the playoff picture had already been established.
Cleveland stands atop at No. 1, with Boston following at No. 2, both awaiting the advancing teams from the play-in.
The No. 3 New York Knicks will take on the No. 6 Detroit Pistons, while No. 4 Indiana faces off against No. 5 Milwaukee.
Orlando, ranked No. 7, will host eighth-seeded Atlanta, with the victor moving forward to take on the Celtics.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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