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Bosh helps Raptors end 15-game losing streak vs. Bulls

Feb 14, 2007 - 6:10 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Tired of losing to the Chicago Bulls, the Toronto Raptors turned to All-Star Chris Bosh.

Bosh scored 25 points, including two decisive free throws, as the Raptors ended a 15-game losing streak to the Bulls with a 112-111 victory.

Andrea Bargnani had 22 points and fellow reserve Jose Calderon added 16 for Toronto, which last beat Chicago on December 18, 2002. That win was the last of 16 straight victories by the Raptors over the Bulls dating to February 28, 1999.

With Toronto leading, 110-100, with 2:38 remaining, the Bulls went on an 11-0 run, capped by a layup and free throw by Ben Gordon, to take a one-point lead with 12 seconds remaining.

"We had a lead with two minutes to go, up by 10 and they made shots and kept getting extra shots," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "I kept telling my team they are not going away."

However, after Toronto point guard T.J. Ford drove to the basket and had his shot blocked by rookie Tyrus Thomas, Bosh grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 2.1 seconds left. He nailed both shots from the line.

"It was an apparent foul," Bosh said. "The refs made a great call. I couldn't be nervous at the line. If your nerves are wracking, you can't execute. I was very confident. I knew we were going to win the game."

A jumper by Gordon bounced off the front of the rim as time expired to give the Raptors their sixth win in seven games.

Bosh shot 8-of-15 from the field and also had 14 rebounds and two blocks for Toronto, which hit 11-of-22 from 3-point range.

Jorge Garbajosa had 14 points and Anthony Parker added 12 for the Raptors, who shot 54 percent (41-of-76).

"We thought this was a winnable game," Parker said. "We just needed to play well."

Luol Deng scored 30 points and Gordon added 26, seven rebounds and six assists for the Bulls, who have lost four of their last five games.

"It was a tough loss," Deng said. "They came here to win. They gave us problems the whole game."

Kirk Hinrich had 18 points and Chris Duhon added 16, including two straight 3-pointers that cut the deficit to 110-108 with 35 seconds left.

"We were almost able to steal it," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. "We just did not have enough at the end. They probably deserved to win. They outplayed us for 40 minutes."