DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points, Zach LaVine added 23 and the Chicago Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 111-105 on Wednesday night.
Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 15 rebounds, helping Chicago win consecutive games for the first time since January 7.
Gary Trent Jr. led the Raptors’ reply with 32 points, while OG Anunobi scored 23. Toronto has lost six of its last nine games.
Leading 103-102 with just two minutes to go, the Raptors saw the Bulls record nine of the next 11 points to win.
The Torotonians were particularly pathetic on the free throw line in this game, losing 11 of their 28 attempts.
The Toronto Raptors guard, Fred VanVlitt and winger Scotty Barnes were absent in this game.
VanVleet averages 21.7 points and 7.0 assists per game with 42.1% shooting. Barnes, the fourth pick in the last draft, averages 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting just under 47%. Birch has 5.8 points per night in 23 games.
Toronto will now travel to Miami to face the Heat on Saturday night.
Elsewhere in the NBA :
Bucks 99 – Cavaliers 115
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MIL: Giannis Antetokounbo had 26 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
CLE: Kevin Love had 25 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals
Knicks 96 – Hit 110
NYK: Immanuel Quickley had 12 points, 7 assists and 2 steals
MIA: Jimmy Butler was first with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists
Nuggets 124 – Nets 118
NO: Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists
BKN: James Johnson had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals
Clippers 111 – Magic 102
LAC: 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Amir Coffey
ENT: Cole Anthony was the best of his team with 19 points and 11 assists
Hornets 158 – Pacers 126
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CHA: Franchise record for Charlotte with 158 points
IND: Isaiah Jackson scored 17 points
Kings 104 – Hawks 121
SAC: Harrison Barnes had 28 points and 9 assists
ATL: Tray Young reduced to 17 points, 10 assists and 4 steals
Grizzlies 118 – Spurs 110
MEM: Ja Morant was brilliant with 41 points
SAS: Devin Wassel was the best of his team with 20 points
Mavericks 132 – Blazers 112
DAL: Luka Doncic scores hat-trick 15 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds
POR: Anferny Simmons scored 23 points for the Trail Blazers
Suns 105 – Jazz 97
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PHO: Devin Booker scored 43 points and 12 rebounds
UTA: Jordan Clarkson scored 26 points
