LaVine’s 30-point pace sees Bulls outscore Raptors 111-97
CHICAGO (AP) — Zach LaVine scored a season-high 30 points in the Chicago Bulls’ 111-97 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
LaVine, who was sidelined by a knee injury in Sunday’s 9-point loss in Toronto, fouled his fifth with 7:26 remaining after scoring the Bulls’ first nine points of the fourth quarter. .
However, the Bulls were able to maintain a 15-point lead and go the rest of the way. They improved to 2-2 in four series of consecutive games.
Bulls center Nikola Vucevic recorded his fourth consecutive double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Guard Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 27 points.
The Raptors double-teamed Bulls top scorer DeMar DeRozan, took just three shots in the first half, and scored their first point on a three-point play with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter. DeRozan finished with a season-low nine points.
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However, the Bulls effectively relied on that depth to shake off a slow start scoring five turnovers in the first five minutes.
Reserves Goran Dragic and Javonte Green scored 15 of the Bulls’ 30 points in the first quarter to overcome a 9-point deficit. That made up for a short loss for LaVine who committed two fouls just over four minutes into the game.
Raptors swingman Scotty Barnes missed his first six shots but responded with a thunderous dunk and Gary Trent Jr.’s 3-pointer cut the Raptors’ deficit to 56-53.
back to basics
The Bulls will play one game over the next five days, and coach Billy Donovan will ensure they make the most of the reduced practice time in morning shooting sessions and breaks after back-to-back games.
“What we need more than anything, even some young players who play this way, is a lot of offensive quits, how to read defense, how to drive, how to take space, how to replay. It’s a method of placement,” said Donovan. “We need to work more on these concepts.”
speak academically
Raptors coach Nick Nurse returned to Chicago for the first time since earning a doctorate in sports leadership from Concordia University in nearby River Forest last May.
“Now that it’s done, I’ve got a picture of what’s been going on in my rear-view mirror,” joked Nurse, who revisited the moment with one of his professors on Monday.
tip in
Raptors: C Kem Birch (right knee) underwent an MRI and Nurse said doctors were determining how to quickly manage the pain for him to return. Birch he missed three games in a row.
Bulls: C Andre Drummond (left shoulder) ruled out before tipoff. Doctors were concerned about his range of motion. …G Coby White (left quad) has less swelling, but he has been relegated to light basketball work and is far from returning, Donovan said. … G Ayo Dosunmu made a pre-game plea for fans to get involved in Tuesday’s US presidential election.
next
Raptors: Host Houston Wednesday Night.
Bulls: Host New Orleans on Wednesday night.
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LaVine’s 30-point pace sees Bulls outscore Raptors 111-97
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