Raptors’ win over Bulls awards tiebreaker in Eastern Conference playoff push

With fewer than 20 games remaining in the season sitting just within the East play-in tournament range, every game counts for the Raptors.

It’s something The Sporting News’ Jordan Greer detailed this week with three matchups against two teams around her in the standings.

First up was a fight with the Bulls, where the winner of that contest would win the straight tiebreaker with a 1-1 knot in the season series.

Toronto was able to defend itself against Chicago at home and came away with a massive 104-98 win behind 20 points and eight rebounds from Pascal Siakam and clinching a game from Scottie Barnes in the fourth quarter.

The win not only gives the Raptors the tiebreaker over the Bulls, but also gives them a 2.5-game lead over Chicago, who become the first team to exit the play-in race in 11th place.

How did the win affect Toronto’s playoff chances? Let’s take a closer look.

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Raptor’s NBA Playoff Odds

Before the Raptors defeated the Bulls, FiveThirtyEight’s model gave Toronto a 45 percent chance of qualifying for the playoffs. After the win, the Raptors’ playoff ratings jumped to 48 percent and are expected to finish seventh in the East with a 41-41 record.

MORE: Why a top-eight finish could make all the difference if Raptors make the playoffs

Raptors playoff tiebreaker

The Raptors earned the tiebreaker over the Bulls with Tuesday’s win. Below are their tiebreakers against other teams around them in standings.

• 7th Place, Heat: Raptors lead season series 2-1 with one game remaining
• 8th place, Hawks: Atlanta won the season series 2-1
• 10th place, Wizards: Season Series is 0-0 – three games to go
• 11th Place, Bulls: Raptors won the season series 2-1
• 12th place, Pacers: Indiana won the season series 2-1

Raptor’s remaining strength of the schedule

According to the Tankathon, the Raptors have The hardest remaining game plan in the NBA. Take a look at some of their toughest and easiest remaining opponents.

• The hardest: Bucks (x2), Celtics (x2), Nuggets (x2), 76ers, Heat, Clippers
• The easiest: Wizards (x3), Hornets (x2), Pistons, Pacers, Thunder, Lakers

Below are the next five games on the Toronto schedule

Date	Opponent	time (ET)
2nd March	at Wizards	19 o’clock
4th of March	at Wizards	17 o’clock
6th March	at nuggets	21 clock
8th of March	at Clippers	22 O `clock
March 10th	at Lakers	10:30 p.m