Game #57: Toronto Raptors 122 - Chicago Bulls 98

[Zainab]

at

Starting Lineup:

RAPTORS:

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: DeMar DeRozan
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Jonas Valanciunas

BULLS

PG: Kris Dunn
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: Justin Holiday
PF: Lauri Markkanen
C: Robin Lopez

Last Meeting
NOVEMBER 7, 2017
BULLS 114 RAPTORS 119
It was a 29-26 first quarter which saw Toronto happily trade buckets with the conference-worst Chicago Bulls. After an atrocious performance versus Washington, fans and Toronto players alike wanted an encouraging start. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad either. The 2nd quarter was another story. The Raptors second unit came into the game and blew the lid off this one. Everyone seemed involved and the first half effort was the best from this Toronto team since Portland. The Bulls were outscored a whopping 36-19 in the second frame. The Bulls made a late comeback after Toronto moved into their usual 4th quarter-heavy isolation sets. It was an unacceptable final six-or-so minutes from Toronto. Toronto shot the lights out from deep. For a team not known for its three point ability, the Raptors shot 13 for 23 in this one. Save for CJ Miles, we know this team doesn’t have a true knockdown 3PT shooter. The charitable ball movement from the entire team facilitated open shots, which Toronto took advantage of.

Keys To The Game:

1) Pass the ball, rack up the assists!
2) Use your depth to your advantage! Blow out the Bulls and rest the starters in the 4th!!
3) You're the better team, play like it!
4) Score more points than the opposing team!


Let's Go Raptors!!!!

[Cody73]

One word: Trust.

[DanH]

Wanna see 48 minutes in this one. With the wake up call tonight, absolutely no excuse for a letdown game tomorrow, pre-break game be damned.

[Zainab]

Wanna see 48 minutes in this one. With the wake up call tonight, absolutely no excuse for a letdown game tomorrow, pre-break game be damned.

You tell 'em

[Jclaw]

Keep it goin' Z.

[Jclaw]

I dunno...Raps looking to avenge a hit they took one year ago to the day...playing Chicago....on Valentines Day....got a feeling that one way or other, it's going to be a massacre

[Nilanka]

I'm nervous about this game. We've seen the lack of concentration before, leading into the allstar break.

We can only hope we've learned from the past, and/or that Chicago is even more focused on their upcoming vacation.

[DanH]

I'm nervous about this game. We've seen the lack of concentration before, leading into the allstar break.

We can only hope we've learned from the past, and/or that Chicago is even more focused on their upcoming vacation.

I'm hoping last night was enough of a kick in the ass to get them to execute tonight.

[KeonClark]

Can we get more Tsn games? I feel like it's been 80% Leo this year

[Nilanka]

Can we get more Tsn games? I feel like it's been 80% Leo this year

I remember writing an angry email to TSN years ago. Swirsky was unavailable (for whatever reason), so they subbed in Farhan Lalji instead, someone who's never called a basketball game in his life. He got players' names wrong, incorrectly assumed a foul call on every whistle, and generally had little idea of what was happening on the court at any moment.

Give me Leo, please

[slaw]

I'm nervous about this game. We've seen the lack of concentration before, leading into the allstar break.

We can only hope we've learned from the past, and/or that Chicago is even more focused on their upcoming vacation.

Yeah, these games are always horrendous. Players, coaches and refs all want to catch flights to go home/all star game/vacation. Just need to come out in the first half and get a lead to get the Bulls thinking about starting their time off early...

[planetmars]

Big trap game here.. should be an easy win, but Lowry, DD and JV all played over 30 minutes last night. Hope the bench goes on fire and we beat them handily.

[G__Deane]

I remember writing an angry email to TSN years ago. Swirsky was unavailable (for whatever reason), so they subbed in Farhan Lalji instead, someone who's never called a basketball game in his life. He got players' names wrong, incorrectly assumed a foul call on every whistle, and generally had little idea of what was happening on the court at any moment.

Give me Leo, please

Well, the Jays had Matt Devlin call a few games last year and he was generally not well received. I thought he did a decent job but it was obvious that baseball was not his greatest sport of knowledge ....

[KeonClark]

Buck and pat are a nearly impossible bar to measure up to, especially for a local broadcast. Jays fans don't know how good they have it

[Demographic Shift]

I'm nervous about this game. We've seen the lack of concentration before, leading into the allstar break.

We can only hope we've learned from the past, and/or that Chicago is even more focused on their upcoming vacation.

Big trap game here.. should be an easy win, but Lowry, DD and JV all played over 30 minutes last night. Hope the bench goes on fire and we beat them handily.

I'm hoping last night was enough of a kick in the ass to get them to execute tonight.

The Raps will execute tonight and the "loss" to the Heat is good for Casey as he can keep pounding home the message with vindication that if you come off the game plan or lose focus for any time during the 48 minutes thats what happens....Every confidence the Raps win by double digits tonight.

The Heat are a good team coached by a really good coach who want to make the playoffs. They busted their ass to win last night as well. A worthy opponent who didn't quit when they got down (see charlotte) ...The Bulls are a much lesser opponent who are playing out the string this year...They get surrounded by the marketing shit for the suckers that talks about a team on the rise.. fun to watch...but they suck cuz they are supposed to suck.

Every confidence the Raps win by double digits tonight and hit the break out in front of the pack with both the Chowderheads and the NewLook Lebrons staring up.