POB and Raptors play final game of season at Bulls

[Da Coach]

The Bulls got some help last night from Patrick O'Bryant's old team, the Celtics. The Celts, playing without injured Kevin Garnett, and without suspended Ray Allen, still managed to pull out a win at Philadelphia to knock the 76ers into 7th place in the Eastern Conference, and elevate the idle Bulls into 6th place.
Tonight, Wed. 4/15, is the final night of the regular NBA season. The Bulls play at home against POB and the Raptors, while the 76ers play at the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Raptors are out of the playoff picture. Patrick has started 2 games in the past week, the only 2 games he has started in his career. He is averaging 2.4 ppg this season, but 12 ppg in the 2 games he has started. There is no word yet whether he will start tonight against the Bulls.
POB's contract reportedly includes another year, at the team's option. The Raptors have not announced whether they will bring him back next year.

Former BU star, Anthony Parker will also play tonight for the Raptors, and it could be his last year with them. AP is a free agent after this season, but there has been some talk that the Raptors will try to resign him, as he has been a valuable player for the size of his contract.

The game will be televised on Comcast Sportsnet.

[tornado]

this is huge for the Bulls....as right now you just want to avoid playing either Cleveland or Boston as long as you can.

Now the Bulls (who have won 5 in a row) sit in the 6th playoff spot, and would play Orlando (who have lost 3 in a row) if this is how it finishes.

The Bulls are 1-3 against Orlando, but have played them fairly well in 3 of the 4 games, and are definitely a better team now than when they played those other games.

[Da Coach]

Orlando has some injury issues right now. More reason to get to the 6th slot, rather than the 7th or 8th. The Bulls are one of the hottest teams right now and are playing very well. Though it might be a little overly optimistic, they feel they can beat Orlando in the first round.

[basketball nut]

Seen in USA Today that AP made the Eastern conf. "All Rmbis team". Congratulations to AP

[ifarania]

POB looked pretty good tonight.. Still 5 fouls in something like 27 or 28 minutes, but a bunch of blocks and rebounds and a bit of offensive production. AP didn't have his best game, but it's nice to watch two BU guys without having to channel surf! I hope that sticks. Bosh and Marion are proven commodities, and Calderon has shown he has the ability to lead an NBA team.. so I'd really like to see POB sharing time with Bargnani playing alongside Bosh. With Kapono's shooting coming off the bench, they're maybe a slasher/athlete and a better backup PG (than Marcus Banks at least) away from being a 4th or 5th place team in the east next year.

[Bravesfan]

Looks like the Bulls were looking ahead a bit to the playoffs. Now they have Boston to tangle with, though Orlando would not have been that much easier. But POB and AP certainly played like they were part of a playoff team this year!