Bulls 102, Raptors 101 (OT)
BULLS 102, RAPTORS 101: Luol Deng’s buzzer-beater lifted host Chicago to an overtime victory over Toronto.
C.J. Watson’s driving shot was blocked but Deng was positioned perfectly to grab the ball and score prior to the buzzer as the Bulls won their fourth consecutive contest.
Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Deng had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Watson scored 23 points as Chicago once again played without guard Derrick Rose, who missed his sixth straight game with a groin injury.
Jose Calderon had 20 points and 10 assists and James Johnson also scored 20 points for Toronto, which blew a fourth-quarter lead against the Bulls for the second time in four nights.
Johnson hit one of two free throws with 15.2 seconds left to give Toronto a one-point lead but Gary Forbes missed two free throws with 6.4 seconds left prior to Deng’s game-winning hoop.
Toronto led 84-77 after a 3-pointer by Linas Kleiza with 6:14 remaining in regulation. Watson scored seven points during Chicago’s ensuing 9-2 surge and tied the contest with a 3-pointer with 3:26 remaining. Watson later forced overtime by hitting one of two free throws with 32.2 seconds left.
On Wednesday, Chicago used a string of 20 unanswered fourth-quarter points to turn an eight-point deficit into a 94-82 win in Toronto.
The Raptors were without guard DeMar DeRozan, who injured his left ankle in the final minutes of a 30-point performance against the New York Knicks on Friday.
Andrea Bargnani added 17 points for the Raptors.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bulls center Joakim Noah was ejected in the second quarter after drawing two technical fouls … DeRozan had started 130 consecutive games, falling one game short of matching the franchise record held by Alvin Williams … Chicago is 12-4 when Rose sits out … Raptors guard Jerryd Bayless (hip) missed his second consecutive game.