The Toronto Raptors were in Chicago to face the Bulls for the 2nd time in 4 days. When they met this past Wednesday on Canadian Forces Night, the Bulls managed a come from behind 94-82 win over the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors would be without the services of DeMar DeRozan who rolled his ankle late in the 4th quarter on Friday night in the Raptors’ dominating win over the New York Knicks. The Bulls would miss Derrick Rose for the 6th straight game due to a nagging groin injury that has forced him out of action
This game would prove to be a nail biter! Here is my personal recap detailing key possessions from 4 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, and overtime:
4 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter:
-CJ Watson hit a go ahead 3 with 52 seconds left. Bulls take a 93-92 lead.
-Amir Johnson finishes an alley-oop dunk on a pass from Jose Calderon. Raptors lead 94-93 with 46 seconds left.
-CJ Watson is fouled by Amir Johnson on a drive to the basket with 32 seconds left
-CJ misses the 1st, but makes the 2nd. Ties the game @ 94 a piece (still 32 seconds left).
-Andrea Bargnani gets a wide open look for a 3 pointer to win the game, on an inbounds baseline pass from Jose Calderon, but it rattled in & out. Sending the game to OT tied at 94.
OT:
-Andrea Bargnani goes to the line 4:41 left in OT. Makes 1st an makes the 2nd. 96-94 Raptors.
-Carlos Boozer scores on a pass from Corey Brewer. Tie game, 96-96.
-Amir Johnson with a nice hook shot in the lane. Raptors re-gain the lead, 98-96.
-Luol Deng scores for the Bulls to tie the game at 98.
-Jose Calderon hits a long jumper. 100-98 Raptors.
-Carlos Boozer is fouled, and heads to the line. Hits the first and hits the 2nd. 100-100.
-James Johnson, the former Chicago Bull, is fouled and goes to the line with 15 seconds remaining in OT. Misses the 1st, makes the 2nd. 101-100 Raptors.
-James Johnson comes up with a HUGE block on Luol Deng with only 6.4 second left in OT. Raptors’ Gary Forbes is fouled after gaining possession.
-Gary Forbes goes to the line, misses the 1st, AND misses the 2nd. Luol Deng grabs the rebound with 6 seconds left. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau takes a timeout.
-CJ Watson misses a short jumper in the lane, but Luol Deng catches the ball mid air and puts it back up in one motion for a lay up/tip in as time expires to win the game, 102-101.
Game Notes:
-Because DeMar DeRozan missed the game due to injury, this denied him the chance to tie former Raptor Alvin Williams for the franchise record of 131 consecutive starts in a Toronto Raptors uniform.
-With that win, the Chicago Bulls clinched a playoff spot. They currently have the best record in the NBA, 40 wins – 10 losses.
Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey shared his thoughts with the media after the tough loss:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
UOBPd2KAffQ[/youtube]
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