CHICAGO – Playing their second major game in two nights on the road, the Toronto Raptors could not repeat the feat from the previous day and lost 113-99 to the Bulls in Chicago on Monday.

Returning to action, Fred VanVleet finished the game with 19 points, six rebounds and nine assists. He made, however, only three of his 12 shots from downtown.

Pascal Shiakam was again productive in the attack with 22 points.

Quebec Chris Boucher also did well with a double of 19 points and 10 rebounds in the second unit.

DeMar DeRozan haunted his former team scoring 26 points for the Bulls. Zach LaVine’s teammate also had 26 points.

The Raptors were lucky to reach the Bulls halfway through the game for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, but they clearly lacked energy late in the game. The tanks looked empty after the huge victory they snatched from the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday with 93-88.

The formation of head coach Nick Nurse also benefited from a return to VanVleet point guard game. We can say that the star player was ready to start the game, scored three of his first five baskets and got assists in the other two.

This very important duel lived up to expectations as both teams reacted, exchanging the lead several times during the first half. At halftime, however, it was the Raptors who returned to the locker room with a one-point lead at 55-54.

A situation that is due, among other things, to the shine of Bauser under the basket and Shiakam, who already had 16 points.

In the second half, the two teams started the fight again with the same passion. At the end of the third quarter, the Bulls took advantage of a 15-0 run to have a 13-point cushion.

The Torotonians’ legs then looked heavier and heavier and the Bulls never worried again.

The Raptors suffered their first defeat in seven road races. For the Bulls it is a first victory in four games.

There is another crucial game for the Canadian team on Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs currently occupy the sixth ranking that the Raptors coveted as it allows direct access to the playoffs.

Elsewhere in the NBA

Pelicans 103 – Hornets 106
NO: Double 24 points and 18 rebounds by Jonas Valantsiounas
CHA: 17 points and 9 assists for LaMelo Ball

Lakers 131 – Cavaliers 120
LAC:
38-point hat-trick, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for King James
KEY: great game by Darius Garland, with 29 points and 16 assists

Trail Blazers 119 – Pistons 115
ORP:
Brandon Williams led the team with 23 points
TED: Cade Cunningham had 25 points and 7 assists

Heat 106 – 76ers 113
PURPOSE:
Jimmy Butler scores 27 points
PHI: Without James Harden and Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey leads his team with 28 points

Jazz 106 – Clean 114
UTA:
Donovan Mitchell scores 30 points
BROTHER: huge performance by Kevin Durand, with 37 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists

Celtics 132 – Thunder 123
BOS: J
Ayson Tatum was the best in this game with 36 points
OKAY : Tre Man scored 35 points and seven rebounds

Wizards 97 – Rockets 115
IT WAS:
doubled 22 points and 13 rebounds for Kristaps Porzingis
HOO: Christian Wood scored a personal high of 39 points and added 10 rebounds

The Timberwolves-Mavericks
MIN:
LAD: