Final NBA play-in matchups: Bulls at Heat, Thunder at Wolves

MIAMI — It was October 19, the night the season started for most NBA teams. Chicago went to Miami, Oklahoma City went to Minnesota.

Nearly six months later, here they are again: Chicago at Miami, Oklahoma City at Minnesota.

This time, the season is about to end for two teams.

The NBA's play-in tournament wraps up Friday night with a pair of elimination games — the Bulls at the Heat for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, followed by the Thunder at the Timberwolves for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. The winners go on, the losers go home.

"We've had a lot of ups and downs this season," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Nothing about this season has been easy." Chicago and Oklahoma City have already won road games to stay alive, at Toronto and New Orleans, respectively. They became the first No. 10 seeds to win on the road in the three-year history of the play-in tournament — and if they do it again Friday, they're going to the postseason.

"We know going there, it's another great road test against a team that's seasoned and is coming off a loss and will look to rebound and play to their identity and their style," Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. "We have a lot to get ready for." The Bulls were 3-0 against Miami in the regular season. Minnesota took three of four from the Thunder in the season series.

"This is a new opportunity, a new challenge in front of us," Donovan said.