The Raptors and Bulls played in an ugly game on Friday night. The Raptors came up on the wrong end of this one losing to the Bulls 104-103.
This was a game of runs. Raptors got off to a 14-2 start. The Bulls called a timeout and then went on a 40-9 run. Then the Raptors countered with a 62-29 run.
Just when it looked like the Raptors were going to run away with this game the Bulls ended regulation on a 22-5 run to send the game into overtime. Raptors gave up a 17-point lead with 5 minutes to play.
The Raptors sent DeMar DeRozan to the free-throw line on four different occasions in the final 21 seconds. DeRozan missed three key free throws resulting in overtime.
In overtime Alex Caruso came up with a clutch stop on Siakam stripping the ball away from him. He then hit the game-winning triple in the corner after LaVine sucked the defence into the paint.
Siakam then couldn’t get up a shot attempt in time on the other end as the Bulls escape with the win.
This was a game the Raptors want to forget. They were undisciplined on both sides, made a lot of mistakes, turned the ball over a ton (21) and missed a lot of free throws (16/25).
The Raptors finished this game 46 percent from the field and 25 percent from three.
The bench for Toronto struggled early. One of the main reasons why the Bulls went on a run was because the Raptors bench didn’t hold its own. Malachi Flynn continues to struggle and he did not look good in his 4 minutes of action. He was benched for the second-half of this game.
Gary Trent Jr. got it going in the second half as he finished with 16 points and Chris Boucher who saw his first minutes of the season scored 10 points and gave the Raptors some nice minutes.
Scottie Barnes was the bright spot of this game. Despite the loss, he was able to record his second career triple-double. Barnes finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 blocks. He did have 7 turnovers, which is something he and the Raptors need to limit.
O.G. Anunoby had to leave this game with a muscle cramp and did not return. With the Raptors taking on the Philadelphia 76ers in the second night of a back-to-back it’ll be interesting to see if he’s available.
Next on tap
It’s the game Raptors fans have been waiting for. Nick Nurse makes his return to Toronto as the 76ers take on the Raptors on Saturday night.
The Raptors look to bounce back and get the victory against their former head coach.
