Bulls Clinch Playoff Berth

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Apr 17, 2006 5:54PM

The Bulls knocked off the Miami Heat 117-94 on Sunday, clinching the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Trailing by 15 in the first half, the Bulls stormed back to take a 5-point lead into halftime. Their stringent defense and hot shooting allowed the Bulls to grow the lead throughout the second half on the way to a convincing 24-point victory.

The Bulls were able to clinch the playoff spot thanks to 76ers losing Friday and Saturday, as well as the Bulls' 103-101 victory over the Washington Wizard Friday night. Ben Gordon tied an NBA record for most three-pointers without a miss, by connecting on 9 of 9 treys. Two of them began the Bulls' rally, as they scored 14 unanswered points to turn an 87-81 deficit into a 95-87 lead. Washington came back to take a 1-point lead but the Bulls held on for the win.

We admit, before the season began we thought the Bulls would have an easier time making the playoffs. But the team couldn't seem to get on track. A month ago, when the fell to 10 games below .500, we had resigned ourselves to the fact the Bulls weren't making the playoffs. Then they finally got on track, win 10 of their last 12 games and make the playoffs. Is the roller coaster ride over yet? May not be -- while they currently hold the 8th seed, they could climb as high as the 5th seed on account of how tightly bunched the final four teams in the Eastern playoff pitcture are. Only one game separates Washington from Indiana, Milwaukee and the Bulls with each team having two left to play. Let's just hope the Bulls can move up from the 8th seed -- we have a feeling Detroit will make quick work of the Bulls, even with their improved play of late.

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