Fred VanVleet-led Toronto Raptors faced the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Play-In game, and the winner would advance to the next round to face the Miami Heat.
Fred VanVleet’s stellar play helped the Raptors lead the Bulls at halftime, and he capped off his performance with an epic half-court buzzer-beater that sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy. Despite this, the Raptors couldn’t maintain their lead and eventually lost to the Bulls.
VanVleet’s half-court shot was nothing short of spectacular, and it helped put the Raptors up by double digits heading into the second half. The shot quickly became the talk of the town, with many fans and analysts praising VanVleet’s incredible range and composure under pressure. However, despite his heroics, the Raptors couldn’t close out the game, and their season came to an end.
FRED VANVLEET AT THE BUZZER. 🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 13, 2023
This game was emblematic of the Raptors’ season, which was filled with ups and downs. They struggled with injuries and inconsistent play throughout the year, but they managed to claw their way back into playoff contention in the final weeks of the season.
Vanvleet🔥🔥
— Big Whopper🥷🏿 (@ScoobyBlacks) April 13, 2023
Despite their best efforts, they fell short in the end, but they can take solace in the fact that they have a talented core of players led by VanVleet, who will undoubtedly continue to shine in the future.
fred vanvleet oh my
— 👁️ (@smock171) April 13, 2023
FRED VANVLEET WITH THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON! (let's not talk about the bar)
— Oren Weisfeld (@OrenWeisfeld) April 13, 2023
VanVleet has been a key player for the Raptors this season, averaging 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Although his shooting percentage from the field was the third lowest mark of his career, his ability to hit clutch shots like the half-court buzzer-beater has endeared him to fans and made him a valuable asset for the team.
That’s Mr. Fred Motherloving VanVleet.
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) April 13, 2023
Fred VanVleet at the buzzer pic.twitter.com/18Unr7XgVZ
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) April 13, 2023
As he looks ahead to next season, VanVleet will undoubtedly continue to work on his game and strive to lead the Raptors to even greater heights.
Bulls Defy Odds, Overcome 19-Point Deficit to Eliminate Fred VanVleet and Raptors
The Chicago Bulls staged a remarkable comeback to beat the Toronto Raptors 109-105 on Wednesday night, securing a chance to compete for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite trailing by 19 points in the third quarter, the Bulls rallied behind Zach LaVine, who finished with 39 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and DeMar DeRozan, who added 23 points. The Raptors’ Pascal Siakam scored 32 points, but missed two crucial free throws late in the game.
Chicago’s defense, which ranks fifth in the league, put intense pressure on the Raptors in the second half. After allowing Toronto to shoot 42.1% from 3-point range in the first half, the Bulls limited them to just 25% in the second. Alex Caruso and Patrick Beverley led the charge on defense, with Caruso recording three steals and three blocks and Beverley being a disruptive presence.
Toronto’s poor free-throw shooting also hurt them, as they missed 18 of their 36 attempts from the charity stripe.
The defeat sends the Raptors home packing, and leaves them with several offseason questions to answer, including whether Nick Nurse will continue as head coach and what roster moves they will make. For the Bulls, the win marks the first time a No. 10 seed has won a play-in game, and sets up a clash with the Miami Heat for a chance to make the playoffs.
