(Chicago) DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 111-105 on Wednesday.
Posted at 10:57 p.m.
Zach LaVine added 23 points for the Bulls, who are in contention for first place in the East.
Nikola Vucevic provided 17 points and 15 rebounds. He fired a three-point shot that took the score to the final count with 13 seconds to go, in a frenzied end to the game.
The Raptors led only once: 103-102 thanks to a dunk from OG Anunoby, with 3:05 on the clock.
A field goal and free throw from LaVine put the Bulls back in front.
Gary Trent approached the visitors at 107-105 but too critical, as also wanting a free throw, he picked up his second technical foul of the game, seeing himself sent off.
Anunoby missed the long range target when he had the chance to level the score at 108-108.
The Raptors’ last chance came when Chicago committed a turnover, with 51 seconds left. The game ended with a missed shot from Pascal Siakam, then Vucevic knocked out the opponent.
The score was 41-41 and then the Bulls pulled away with an 11-0 push. At the half, their priority was 67-50.
Trent had 32 points in a second straight game.
The Raptors (23-23) got the better of the Hornets the day before in Toronto.
Anunoby had 23 points, seven more than Scottie Barnes. Siakam went there by 12 points.
The Raptors struggled with free throws (17 for 28).
Fred VanVleet, the visitors’ leading scorer, missed a second game in a row with a right knee injury.
Toronto (23-23) slipped to ninth place in the East, one game ahead of the Washington Wizards.
Nick Nurse’s club will be back in action Saturday night in Miami.
Besides, Nurse will make an appearance on the show Murdoch Mysteries from CBC, Monday night. He will play a locker room attendant, in a scene related to basketball.