The Raptors finished 2013 in an impressive fashion; earning another road win, this time, in the Windy City. The Raptors are now 8-3 since the trade that sent Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings, and with this win over the Chicago Bulls, the Raptors are now on a 3 game winning streak.
Jonas Valanciunas had a full plate battling the Bulls' Joakim Noah all night long. Jonas played 38 minutes and had a strong game, scoring 15 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, along with 2 steals and 2 blocks. Patrick Patterson provided some timely baskets for the Raptors down the stretch in this game, and had 10 points on the night in 23 minutes off the bench.
The game marked the return of Luol Deng for Chicago. Deng had missed the Bulls' last 5 games due to a sore achilles that both he and the team were being cautious with. Deng had 16 points on the night and grabbed 4 rebounds. Jimmy Butler had a solid night with 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Joakim Noah was active as usual with 16 rebounds (6 of them offensive), also chipping in with 7 points and 6 assists.
The Chicago Bulls were the team imposing their will and style of play early on, although the Raptors held a 5 point lead going into the 2nd quarter. It was the Bulls' reserves that gave Chicago a spark, as the Bulls' bench outscored the Raptors bench in the first half 25-10. Taj Gibson was 5-8 from the field and had 10 points for the Bulls at halftime. This allowed the Bulls to grind their way to a 42-36 lead going into the 3rd quarter.
The 3rd quarter was evenly played, as the Raptors were only able to cut the deficit by 1, and were down 5 points heading into the 4th quarter. The Raptors outscored the Bulls 28-17 in the 4th quarter to erase the Bulls' lead and gain one of their own. The Raptors were leading by as many as 10 points in the 4th quarter.
Greivis Vasquez came into the game in the 4th quarter and had an immediate impact for Toronto. He scored 7 of his 9 points for the game in the 4th, including a 3-pointer that gave the Raptors their first lead in the 4th quarter which they didn't relenquinsh. Greivis also contributed in a big way defensively in the quarter; grabbing 2 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and a block.
Jonas Valanciunas seemingly hurt his elbow late in the 4th quarter on what appeared to be a fairly innocuous play. Initial thoughts were that it may have only been his funny bone. Check out the postgame interview with Jonas below to hear more directly from the big man himself.
The Raptors return home for an evening game on New Year's Day at the Air Canada Centre where they will face one of the NBA's best teams, the Indiana Pacers.
(Photo Credit: NBAE/Getty Images)
Postgame interviews:
Jonas Valanciunas:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
vz8V_oxESto[/youtube]
Kyle Lowry:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
qlH-cT6rb5E[/youtube]
Dwane Casey:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
tiOUuh0RZ1k[/youtube]
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