NFL
By: Stephen PridGeon-Garner
The Chicago Bulls are set to do battle, in a win-or-go-home situation, north of the border with the Toronto Raptors.
Their regular season series saw the Raptors grab two of the three – the first and the final game, in which both teams were relatively healthy – and do so in their signature, muddy, fashion.
The season series, regarding total points, was won by Toronto by a singular point – 314-313.
They have one of the most unique rosters in the NBA, having compiled a roster of players with wide-ranging wingspans, athleticism, and height, that stretch from 6’8 and above, sans their two-floor spacing guards in Van Vleet and Trent Jr.
That, along with maybe the league’s most thorough tactician manning their sideline in Nick Nurse, gives them a chance to beat any team on any given day.
That phrase, any given day, is exactly what makes the Play-In tournament so unique because of the one-off structure.
It also is what makes a team that is typically better prepared than their opponents regarding scheme versatility.
In addition to their ability to play multiple defensive schemes, and toggle them on a near possession-by-possession basis, they also have the type of lineup versatility that can weigh heavily in making life tough in operating offensively against them.
It makes them a Rubik’s cube to solve, in real-time.
They’re also stout and disciplined regarding other teams’ scouting reports, knowing who to close out long to, who to short close on, and who can be helped off in any given scenario.
Meanwhile, offensively, the Raptors have made strides in their process, via the pick-and-roll.
The addition of Jakob Poetl has provided them the much-needed roller, additive playmaking hub from the elbow and short-roll, plus true center dynamic that they’ve sorely missed offensively – more effectively inverting their offense at times.
Inversely, and generally, the Bulls have struggled to guard against it.
Therein lies a match-up dynamic to watch.
Sound On
The Bulls Feb. 28th match-up @ Toronto – the only match-up where both teams were healthy – had some relevant occurrences surface
PnR defense from the backline for the Bulls – in communication & anticipation – will be imperative vs the volume of Poetl rolls to come pic.twitter.com/jzYUl1e9tQ
— Stephen PridGeon
(@StayTrueSDot3) April 11, 2023
The Bulls allowed 1.198 points per possession to opposing rollers. That mark ranked bottom third (24th) this season.
In addition to that, opponents had a score percentage that ranked 22nd, and tied for 28th in field goal percentage conceded to rollers (58.6%).
Independent of being on schedule, or even early in rotations, with activity on defense, will be the need for effective ancillary efforts from the reserves.
Particularly, it’ll need to be Coby White and Patrick Williams.
Sound On
For the Bulls, ancillary play is going to be vital for them to navigate the waters of the Play-In tournament
In that, they'll need the contributions from Coby White & Patrick Williams – in reserve roles – to keep the Bulls attack humming independent of the starters pic.twitter.com/r0dRIHyeDv
— Stephen PridGeon
I also feel a need for Patrick Williams to start for the Bulls in this one.
I spoke earlier about the pick-and-roll play of the Raptors, and above about the lack of size the Bulls have in comparison to them, adding Patrick Williams in a higher minutes total is and would be a direct response to the size deficit the Bulls are at.
Having Williams in a position to make the dynamic defensive rotations, in anticipation as well as with physicality, will be mandatory for effectiveness.
If the Bulls can channel more discipline and communication defensively, while also keeping their offensive process clean playing against active yet unbalanced defenses, there are more avenues for them to earn this win, than are presented for Toronto.
@StayTrueSdot3 
