Mathematically, yes, there’s still a heartbeat.
It’s faint, there’s lots of wires and tubes, but it’s there in the wake of the 106-94 loss to Philadelphia on Monday.
And until it’s not, the Bulls’ Billy Donovan is going to do what he can to coach this thing to the end. Not because Donovan is blindly believing that his team can overcome the four-game deficit its now facing in chasing down Washington for the final play-in spot, as much as he still sees value in the remaining seven games.
All-Star guard Zach LaVine, who has now missed 11 games in the health and safety protocol, has cleared his final obstacle and rejoined the team, while fellow All-Star Nikola Vucevic missed the 76ers game with hip soreness, but like LaVine, could be back Thursday in Charlotte.