After each team dealt with seasons of ups and downs, the record is reset to 0-0 for the 9-seed Raptors and 10-seed Bulls, who will meet in the first round of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
For each team, the message is simple: Win or go home.
Wednesday's winner will go on to play another day, advancing to another winner-takes-all situation on Friday against the loser of the Play-In game played between the 7-seed Heat and 8-seed Hawks. Anything can happen in an elimination game.
Both Toronto and Chicago have made moves to win in the present, and while a loss in the Play-In Tournament wouldn't necessarily signify a failure, it would be a letdown for either franchise.
Will Pascal Siakam lead the Raptors to a win or will DeMar DeRozan come up big to send his former team home? This is a game you won't want to miss.
The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know to watch Wednesday's Eastern Conference Play-In game.
PLAY-IN PREVIEWS: Raptors vs. Bulls | Pelicans vs. Thunder
What time is Raptors vs. Bulls?
- Date: Wednesday, April 12
- Time: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT
- Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Raptors vs. Bulls from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto will tip off around 7 p.m. ET.
What channel is Raptors vs. Bulls on?
- TV channel (US): ESPN
- TV channel (CA): TSN
- Live stream: Sling TV
In the United States, Raptors vs. Bulls will air nationally on ESPN. Mark Jones will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Doris Burke while Cassidy Hubbarth reports from the sideline. In Canada, Raptors vs. Bulls will air on TSN.
Viewers in the U.S. can also stream the game on Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch postseason games from the NBA Play-In Tournament through the NBA Finals on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
Tuesday, April 11
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | |
| Game 1 | Hawks vs. Heat | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 2 | Timberwolves vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT |
Wednesday, April 12
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | |
| Game 3 | Bulls vs. Raptors | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 4 | Thunder vs. Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Friday, April 14
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | |
| Game 5 | Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 1 | 7/7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6 | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 9:30/10 p.m. | ESPN |
NBA Playoff matchups 2023
Eastern Conference
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Play-In winner
(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks
Western Conference
(1) Nuggets vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Play-In winner
(3) Kings vs. (6) Warriors
(4) Suns vs. (5) Clippers
NBA Playoff schedule 2023: First round
The NBA has released the partial schedule for the first weekend of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The schedule for Saturday, April 15 is set while the schedule for Sunday, April 16 has yet to be determined.
Check back for updates on the full weekend schedule as well as the schedule for the entirety of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
(All times Eastern)
Saturday, April 15
| Game | Time | National TV (US) |
| Nets vs. 76ers (Game 1) | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| No. 7 seed vs. Celtics (Game 1) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Knicks vs. Cavaliers (Game 1) | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Kings (Game 1) | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
Sunday, April 16
| Game | Time | National TV (US) |
| No. 8 seed vs. Bucks (Game 1) | TBD | TBD |
| No. 8 seed vs. Nuggets (Game 1) | TBD | TBD |
| No. 7 seed vs. Grizzlies (Game 1) | TBD | TBD |
| Clippers vs. Suns (Game 1) | TBD | TBD |
