Raptors 64 - 77 Bulls
Final
  for this game

Streaking Bulls welcome Raptors to Windy City

Jan 14, 2012 - 5:11 PM (Sports Network) - Fresh off a convincing win in Boston, the Bulls return to the Windy City to face off with the Toronto Raptors.

Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose returned from a one-game absence on Friday to score 25 points as Chicago survived a rally in the second half to beat the Celtics, 88-79, on Friday night.

The C's nearly erased a 20-point deficit with a 25-6 run between the third and fourth quarters. As so often happens, however, the Bulls called a timeout to stall Boston and weathered the outburst for their fourth straight win.

Rose, after sitting out against the Wizards on Wednesday with a sprained toe, scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter, including an acrobatic layup with his back to the basket and two Celtics trying to guard him.

All five Bulls starters scored in double figures in their 10th win in 11 games. Luol Deng had 21 points and 16 rebounds while Joakim Noah also had a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards.

"Things got tough at the end of the third, start of the fourth, but we hung in and found a way to win down the stretch," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

Chicago is 4-0 so far this season at the United Center, winning those games by an average of 20 points. The Bulls haven't opened 5-0 on their home floor since starting the 1996-97 season with seven straight wins.

Overall, Chicago has won 30 of its last 32 in the Second City dating back to last season.

The Raptors, who are kicking off a three-game road trip tonight, dropped their third straight game on Friday to Indiana, 95-90.

DeMar DeRozan paced the Raptors in that one with 23 points, while Leandro Barbosa dropped in 20 and Jose Calderon had 15 with nine assists for Toronto, which was without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani (strained left calf).

Bargnani has been listed as doubtful for tonight's game as the Raptors attempt to improve on their 2-4 road record.

The Bulls won three of four from the Dinos last season including both meetings in the United Center.






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