Rookie Derrick Rose had 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 102-98 win over the reeling Raptors last night at the ACC.
Rose added 10 assists in one of the freshman's best performances of the season, helping the 17-22 Bulls end a two-game losing streak. Luol Deng added 16 points and 16 rebounds and Andres Nocioni chipped in with 16 points off the bench in the win. The loss spoiled a fantastic night for centre Andrea Bargnani, who erupted for a career-high 31 points. Bargnani dazzled the crowd of 18,494 with an array of layups, jumpers and three-pointers -- and even added 10 rebounds for good measure in his first showdown with fellow No. 1 pick Rose.
Chris Bosh had 25 points while Anthony Parker added 15 and Jamario Moon 11 for 16-24 Toronto, which has dropped three in a row.
Trailing 71-68 entering the fourth, the Bulls went on a 9-0 run to open the quarter -- capped by a Rose layup -- to go out in front by six. The Raptors quickly answered with threes from Parker and Will Solomon to trim the deficit to one.
NOTES: The Raptors honoured former play-by-play voice Chuck Swirsky at halftime. Swirsky worked Raptors radio and TV broadcasts for 10 seasons before accepting a similar position with the Bulls in the off-season.
