Bulls Hold Off Raptors 122-121 for 4th Win in 6 Games
Nikola Vucevic Scores 24 Points
TORONTO (AP) — Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points, Coby White added 19, and the Chicago Bulls held on to beat the Toronto Raptors 122-121 on Monday night for their fourth win in six games.
Seven Bulls Players Reach Double Figures
Talen Horton-Tucker scored 15 points, Ayo Dosunmu had 12, and seven Bulls players reached double figures.
Lonzo Ball Makes Key Shot Late in Fourth
Chicago’s Lonzo Ball missed six of his first seven 3-point attempts before making a key shot from long distance late in the fourth.
Bulls’ Josh Giddey Injured
Bulls guard Josh Giddey had to be helped off the court midway through the third quarter after rolling his right ankle while trying to defend a shot. He did not return, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in 24 minutes.
Takeaways
* Vucevic returned after missing Sunday’s win over Charlotte because of an illness, but two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine sat out because of back spasms.
* Toronto played its second straight game without All-Star forward Scottie Barnes, who sprained his right ankle on Dec. 9. The Raptors took another hit when center Jakob Poeltl exited in the third because of a strained left groin.
Key Moment
Chicago led 102-86 early in the fourth but Toronto cut the deficit to 112-111 on Barrett’s hook shot with 2:28 left. White made a layup and Ball hit a 3 to keep the Bulls in front.
Key Stat
Toronto fell to 0-14 this season when trailing at halftime. Chicago led 53-50 after two quarters.
Up Next
Both teams play again Thursday, when Chicago visits Boston and Toronto hosts Brooklyn.
Conclusion
The Bulls’ win was a testament to their depth and resilience, as they were able to overcome the loss of Josh Giddey and hold off a late surge from the Raptors. The team’s ability to adapt and adjust on the fly will be crucial as they continue their push for a playoff spot.
FAQs
Q: Who scored 24 points for the Bulls?
A: Nikola Vucevic
Q: Who added 19 points for the Bulls?
A: Coby White
Q: Who scored 32 points for the Raptors?
A: RJ Barrett
