Raptors 101 - 102 Bulls
Final - OT
  for this game

Bulls shoot for 40th win against Raptors

Mar 24, 2012 - 3:03 PM (Sports Network) - Chicago will attempt to become the first NBA team to record 40 wins on the season when the Bulls shoot for a second straight victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Chicago is not only a gaudy 39-10 overall, it improved to 11-4 on the season without reigning MVP Derrick Rose when Luol Deng recorded 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Bulls rallied in the fourth quarter to down the Raptors, 94-82, at Air Canada Centre on Wednesday.

Chicago, which was playing its fifth straight game without Rose due to a strained groin, was also aided by C.J. Watson's 15 points, John Lucas' 13 and 12 by Ronnie Brewer.

Joakim Noah added eight points, eight rebounds and five assists in the Bulls' third straight win.

"You know, all year our model has just been to find a way to win," said Deng. "Sometimes it's not pretty. We're a deep team."

Rose is listed as day-to-day but will likely sit again tonight as Chicago attempts to get its superstar right for the postseason.

Toronto, meanwhile, bounced back from that loss to rout New York, 96-79, on Friday at the ACC. DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 30 points despite injuring his ankle late in that one as the Raptors sent the Knicks to their first loss under interim coach Mike Woodson.

Toronto had dropped three straight, including a setback at New York on Tuesday, but got 21 points from Andrea Bargnani and 19 from Gary Forbes to halt the slide.

"We played good defense," said Bargnani. "After the way we played in New York, we wanted to play a better game in front of our home crowd."

DeRozan had to limp off the court after colliding with teammate Jose Calderon late in the fourth quarter.

"I came down and tweaked my ankle a little bit," DeRozan said. "It was just a little scare. It's a little sore. Try to get it ready for (Saturday)."

Chicago has won three in a row and six of seven overall against Toronto.






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