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Bulls head north to visit Raptors

Nov 13, 2014 - 2:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Derrick Rose may be thinking of the future, but the Chicago Bulls are playing for the present and face a tough challenge Thursday against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Rose said recently he's thinking long term after his playing career and doesn't want to experience side effects down the road because of his rap sheet of injuries. Rose, of course, has been plagued by health issues the past few seasons and is just getting over two sprained ankles.

The former NBA MVP missed two straight games before playing over 30 minutes and scoring 24 points in Monday's 102-91 win against the Detroit Pistons. Rose handed out seven assists and made 9-of-20 shots from the field, helping the Bulls to a 6-2 record on the season and their fifth win in six games.

Pau Gasol had 17 points and 15 rebounds, Jimmy Butler posted 19 points and Joakim Noah filled the box score with 13 points, 14 boards and six assists.

It was the first time this season that Chicago had its five starters on the court at the same time.

"It was great to have everyone," said Gasol. "I hope we can keep it that way."

The Bulls scored 100 points for the sixth time and are averaging 104.0 points per game. Chicago ranked first in the NBA in scoring defense last season, limiting opponents to 91.8 ppg., and is giving up 98.4 in 2014-15.

Chicago is 4-0 on the road and will host Indiana after this trip north of the border. The Bulls will then start a seven-game road trip out west before returning east for the final two games of the jaunt. The last time the Bulls started 5-0 on the road was 1996-97, when the squad won its first six games away from the United Center.

Toronto is 5-0 at home this season and is riding a five-game winning streak into Thursday's matchup with Chicago.

Arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference right now, the Raptors lead the NBA with 107.0 points per game and handed the Orlando Magic a 104-100 loss on Tuesday at Air Canada Centre.

Kyle Lowry had his usual contributions from all angles and finished with 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Terrence Ross scored 17 points, DeMar DeRozan had 16 and Lou Williams posted 14 points off the bench for the Raptors, whose 7-1 start is the best in franchise history.

The Raptors struggled through the first three quarters until posting a 32-17 advantage in the final period when it counted most. They erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth for their ninth consecutive victory over the Magic.

"Orlando scrapped and they outplayed us for three quarters," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. "I liked the resolve of our team."

Toronto is 3-0 on a seven-game homestand and the only one-loss team in the East.

DeRozan needs four points to tie Andrea Bargnani (6,561) for third place on the Raptors' all-time scoring list, while Casey has an opportunity to tie Lenny Wilkens (113) for second on the team's all-time coaching wins list. Sam Mitchell is first with 156 victories.

Toronto and Chicago split four games last season, and tonight's showdown will feature talented guard play. Also, Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas have their work cut out against Gasol and Noah inside.