Toronto Raptors (33-23) beat Chicago Bulls (24-32) 110-101 on the road on Thursday, February 19.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Raptors had the better start, winning the first 25-23 to lead by 2 after one. The Raptors kept the pressure on with a 28-22 second quarter, carrying a 8-point lead into halftime.
The Raptors won the third 34-33 to create some separation, taking a 9-point lead into the fourth. The teams matched each other with 23 points apiece in the fourth quarter, and the Raptors closed regulation with a 110-101 lead.
What decided it
The Raptors took better care of the ball, turning it over on 13.1% of possessions compared with 19.2% for the Bulls. The Raptors made 30 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 19.8 for the Bulls. Those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 105 possessions per team, the Raptors produced 104.3 points per 100 possessions to 95.8 for the Bulls.
The Bulls' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 46-27.
Who made the difference
Brandon Ingram was the game's biggest individual force for TOR: 31 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast on 11-26 shooting. His Game Score of 23.8 led everyone. His team was +12 with him on the floor.
Tre Jones led the Bulls with 12 pts, 1 reb, 6 ast on 5-8 shooting, good for a 13.2 Game Score.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 50% for the Raptors.
Across the last 5 meetings in our records, Chicago Bulls lead 4-1.
The Raptors are now 33-23, and the Bulls are 24-32. The Raptors last five before this game: W-L-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.