It’s a team game. No further proof of that tired adage was needed after watching the Chicago Bulls’ bench players stampede those of the Raptors. While Toronto’s starting five outplayed their counterparts, a 51-27 margin favoured the home team’s second unit, more than enough to seal the visitors’ fate.
Toronto’s start was just fine. The Raptors took a 9-point lead into the second quarter without much contribution from the long ball. The Bulls looked sluggish. Luis Scola cut to the hoop for easy buckets and backed down Pau Gasol for more. Our evergreen power forward made all 6 shots he tried in the first half.