Raptors Are A Microcosm Of Daunting Playoffs For Bulls

On the night of Patrick Williams' long-awaited return to the floor for the first time since Oct. 28 and conveniently enough -- free hat giveaway at the United Center -- the Chicago Bulls pulled out an important win over the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors were on the second night of a back-to-back. They came from Philadelphia the night previous with a win over the 76ers. On Monday night, the Raptors were without three intrinsic players -- Gary Trent Jr., OG Annunoby and Malachai Flynn. The Bulls added back Williams and Alex Caruso and a few games before. Going into Monday night, they were set up for success with a much-needed tally in the win column. Also going into the game, the Bulls lost eight of their last 10 games. The Raptors put up a solid fight, leading the Bulls to go into halftime, 55-54. The Bulls were able to contain the Raptors' best weapon, Fred VanVleet, but were subjected to the common, season-long theme that reared its ugly head again on Monday night.

All Raptors' big men were able to control the Bulls on both sides of the floor. Pascal Siakam shot 7-of-11 in the first half for 16 points. Behind him, Chris Boucher had 10, Khem Birch 7 and Scottie Barnes 6 points. Thanks to a 16-point third quarter from Zach LaVine, the Bulls were able to pull away from the Raptors. Toronto is in seventh place and is now 3.5 games behind the Bulls in the Eastern Conference. However, the first half showed the Bulls their need to strategize against bigger teams. The Bulls did not have a poor first half. They shot just under 50 percent from the field, assisted 15 of 22 field goals made and turned the ball over just twice. The Raptors' control of the paint area was evident towards the Bulls' inability to suppress them.

The Raptors served as a microcosm of the daunting playoff route ahead.

The Bulls' main weakness is obvious -- containing bigger teams. My point in bringing up the Raptors is that the Bulls will likely see teams with more height, length and talent than the Raptors in the playoffs. For example, in the first round, the Bulls could see the Boston Celtics. Luckily, the Celtics are not one of the bigger teams in the East. Yet, they have Jayson Tatum (6-foot-8), Daniel Theis (6-foot-9) and Robert Williams (6-foot-9) to deal with. Similar, if the Bulls drop their fifth-place standing to the Cleveland Cavaliers (ironically, another tall-rostered team), they would take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Not much needed to say here. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis will be tough to keep under control for the Bulls. Siakam, Birch and Boucher are small hurdles compared to what the Bulls could see in the first round of the playoffs.

Are they ready for that type of competition?

The reawakening of Williams and Caruso will be vital to keep things under control on defense. Last night, they showed flashes of inefficiencies. Caruso allowed VanVleet to score the Raptors' first five points in a hurry, while Williams had a difficult time defending Siakam right away. It's unfair to take last night's game as a true indicator of the future, but it's notable. The two will not only become important to the defense overall but also maintain opposing big men. Caruso has stepped in to guard forwards/centers before, and it's likely the reason he will remain in the starting lineup. While it's all smiles and Billy Donovan's wife's cookies after the Bulls emerged victorious over the Raptors on Williams's first game back, they need to maintain their focus. Without Lonzo Ball in the lineup, likely for the rest of the season, defense becomes priority number one. The Bulls will have another defensive test ahead of them on Tuesday night, as they square off against the Milwaukee Bucks.