Beat Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls Keep Hopes of Qualifying for NBA Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls maintain their chances of making the NBA playoffs, while the Philadelphia 76ers qualify after beating the Miami Heat.

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/JAMIE SABAU

Chicago Bulls player Coby White smiles during an interview after leading his team to win the NBA play-in basketball match against the Atlanta Hawks, at the United Center, Chicago, Thursday (18/4/2024) morning WIB.

CHICAGO, THURSDAY — Guard Coby White went crazy, scoring 42 points, as Chicago Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks , 131-116, in the play-in NBA basketball tournament match, Thursday (18/4/2024) morning WIB, to maintain the opportunity to advance to playoff round. It was White's highest point while playing in the NBA.

The Bulls will challenge the Miami Heat for the final spot or eighth seed in the NBA Eastern Conference. The Heat had to face the Bulls because when fighting for the seventh playoff position, they recognized the superiority of the Philadelphia 76ers.

White was able to make 15 of his 21 shots and was also able to grab nine rebounds and six assists. The Bulls are ranked ninth in the NBA regular season so they have to compete for position with the Heat who are in eighth position.

The play-in match is for the last two playoff tickets, seventh and eighth, in each NBA region. The team that ranks seventh to 10th is entitled to appear in the play-in. The winners of the seventh and eighth place matches will get the seventh playoff ticket, while the losers will fight for the final ticket against the winners of the ninth and 10th place matches.

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"I want to play aggressively and face whatever the opponent's defense is doing. Facing this match, I want to make an impact, whether it's defending or attacking, I am focused on that," said White.

Bulls guard Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points and 12 rebounds while DeMar DeRozan recorded 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu added 19 points for the Bulls.

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/JAMIE SABAU

Chicago Bulls player Coby White tries to score points during the NBA play-in match against the Atlanta Hawks, Thursday (18/4/2024) morning WIB. The Bulls won 131-116.

Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Atlanta Hawks, who have lost seven straight. Trae Young added 22 points and 10 assists, Clint Capela scored 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 21 points.

However, what the Hawks players did was not able to match the Bulls' game effectiveness. Chicago was very efficient by recording accurate shots of 65.4 percent in the third quarter to widen their lead to 110-92 at halftime.

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Bulls coach Billy Donovan said that White played brilliantly leading to his team's win. "Amazing. He did a great job by playing aggressively. I think he played a complete game. I know 42 is a phenomenal number, but he also defended well and got assists. It was an outstanding performance," he said.

Guard Hawks Young said they didn't play well enough to lose to the Bulls. ”Our game was not enough this time. Coby and Vucevic played really well. You have to give them credit. It's very tough," Young said.

The Sixers escaped

Meanwhile, center Joel Embiid showed that the Philadelphia 76ers would be a team to always take into account if he was fit. Embiid, who is recovering from injury, fired the Sixers into the playoffs with a dominant game as they beat the Miami Heat.

GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP/TIM NWACHUKWU

Philadelphia 76ers player Joel Embiid plays against the Miami Heat in the NBA play-in match at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Thursday (18/4/2024) morning WIB. The Sixers qualified for the NBA playoffs after winning 105-104.

Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds and a big assist on Kelly Oubre Jr. for a 3-pointer that gave the 76ers a 105-104 win over the Heat. No one doubts Embiid's dominance when he is healthy.

The problem faced by this Cameroonian player is that he is often in the care room due to injuries. When Embiid is being treated by doctors, the 76ers become a team that is not feared by their opponents.

Even though they lost, the Heat—who played from the play-in to advance to the NBA finals last season—can advance to the playoffs if they beat the Bulls. (AP/AFP)