If this meeting between Raptors and the Bulls counted for the “In-Season Tournament”, the outcome of the match had no impact on it for the two franchises, already eliminated from the tournament after losing their first two matches. The question was rather whether the players of Chicagoin great difficulty since the start of the season (5 victories in 16 matches), were going to take a step towards better days by winning at Toronto.
The answer, without much surprise, remains negative… Authors once again of a very bland game, Billy Donovan’s men did not in fact display much resistance in the Canadian room, although far from being an impregnable fortress ( 4 wins and 4 losses): 14 points behind at the end of the first quarter (36-22) then at half-time (62-48), before the gap reached 20 points in the third quarter time.
Wandered in defense by inspired Raptors (53% shooting and 6 players at 13 points or more) while being harmless in attack with the exception of one Zach LaVine well alone (36 points at 16/23 on shots), the Bulls have in summary spent a (new) frustrating evening, like these four technical fouls distributed to DeMar DeRozan (expelled… 2 seconds from the end of the match after receiving a second technical foul), Jevon Carter And Andrew Drummond. The implosion of this group seems irremediably close…
As for the Raptors, the essentials were easily assured: returning to a balanced record (8 wins and 8 losses) and building up their confidence against a team in total distress, before playing several tough matches in the coming years. weeks: trips to Cleveland and Brooklyn, before receiving Phoenix and New York…
What you must remember
– The Raptors recital. Favorites on paper, the Raptors performed in proportions that they themselves probably did not imagine: 14 points in advance at the end of the first quarter, then at half-time. Before, in the second period, they continued to advance to gain a 20-point lead. This match in fact embodied everything that represents Darko Rajakovic’s vision: a fluid and moving attack (44 baskets scored for 32 assists), and therefore efficient (6 players with more than 13 points and 53% on shots), and a stifling defense (8 interceptions and 6 blocks) without overflowing into excessive aggression, as could often be the case under Nick Nurse’s regime. A benchmark match for the Canadian collective, even if the adversity was particularly weak.
– Chicago sinks into crisis. Between the accumulating defeats and the transfer rumors surrounding Zach LaVine, morale is not high at the moment for the Bulls. Against the Raptors, with the exception of a late but futile awakening in the fourth quarter, the “Windy City” club did not show any reassuring signs that could suggest that better days are to come. Despite good will, the point of no return has perhaps already been reached for these Bulls, who now stand at 5 wins and 12 defeats before challenging the Celtics, the Bucks twice in the coming weeks but also the Nuggets, the Heat and the Sixers…
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.
