Yet deprived of three starters (Quickley, Barrett and Poeltl), the Raptors ended a series of five defeats in a row by winning 118-107 on the Chicago floor. Not completely out of the game in the race for the play-in, Dennis Schroder's teammates got off to a good start thanks to the skill of Gary Trent Jr. and the percussion of Scottie Barnes (20-15).
And then, the first rotations will initially be fatal for them. Julian Phillips opens his 3-point counter, then DeMar DeRozan easily finds Andre Drummond near the circle, and the Bulls sign a 10-0 to take the lead (25-20). The Raptors fail to control DeRozan, and the gap increases (42-32). Then it's Coby White who attracts two defenders to serve Alex Caruso in trailer (56-43). The Bulls share the ball better, and at the break, they lead 63-52.
The Nwora spark
Returning from the locker room, same scenario with Caruso who found Ayo Dosunmu, alone in the corner for the 3-pointer (68-55). Moment chosen by veteran Thaddeus Young to shake up his teammates. Defense, rebounds, a tap… The former Bulls winger inspires the Raptors, and at his side, we find Denver's Bruce Brown at the heart of a 7-1 to return to two units (77-75) . It’s then Jordan Nwora who drives the point home. The former “joker” of the Bucks is unleashed, and the Raptors take the lead (86-83).
The Bulls are groggy, and first Brown then Trent makes the 3-pointers which hurt. DeMar DeRozan may well hold his team at arm's length, including a huge dunk in traffic, but the Bulls never manage to get back on track (109-100). And as a symbol, it is Young who delivers the Raptors on a caviar from Scottie Barnes (113-106), while Schroder is responsible for completing the match with free throws.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Young, the X factor. We thought he was pre-retiring, and now Young, the holder, signs 16 points against the Bulls. Touted for his leadership qualities, the former Sixers and Pacers winger was decisive in the middle of the 3rd quarter to shake up his partners, but also at the end of the game when the Raptors finally found the solution to counter DeRozan.
– The Bulls are stagnating. Third defeat in four matches for Chicago who no longer have the legs to last 48 minutes. More than the absences of Zach LaVine and Pat Williams, it is the lack of size and scope that costs them dearly. Especially against a team like Toronto with a lot of versatile wingers.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
