Rampaging Chicago Bulls come back from 19-POINT deficit to eliminate the Raptors 109-105

Even a 12 point deficit with 10:24 left in the fourth quarter couldn’t hold back the Chicago Bulls – as they upset the Toronto Raptors in Canada by a score of 109-105 to advance to the final stage of the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Led by a monster 30-point second half by Zach LaVine, the Bulls were able to come back from third and fourth quarter deficits that were as large as 19 points to clinch a game against the Miami Heat to be the eight seed in the NBA Playoffs.

After LaVine knocked down two free throws to make it a 107-104 game, the Raptors got the ball back with 17.9 seconds remaining. Pascal Siakam was fouled from behind the arc, but only hit one of three free throws. Nikola Vucevic got the rebound and hit two foul shots of his own.

LaVine finished the night with 39 points, seven rebounds, and three assists to put Chicago over the top. Demar DeRozan, making a playoff return to Toronto, put up 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists to help.

Meanwhile for Toronto, big games from Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet put them ahead and kept them in it down to the end. Siakam managed 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while VanVleet put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

Chicago will now travel to Miami for a one-off game. The winner will enter the Eastern Conference Playoffs as the eight-seed and will face the Milwaukee Bucks.

LaVine racked up 30 points in just the second half, finishing with 39 points and seven boards

Alongside LaVine, DeMar DeRozan put up 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists

Pascal Siakam (43) led the way for the now-eliminated Raptors with 32 points & nine rebounds

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