Raptors at bulls 8est

[Clocian-IGN]

Let's go bulls

[Qwyjibo]

Raptors in 4.

[Legends66NBA7]

Game Preview: http://mi.nba.com/preview/#!/0021400410


The red-hot*Toronto Raptors*have the best record in the Eastern Conference and are on pace to be the best team in franchise history, but they've enjoyed much of their early success at home.

They're about to see just how well they can handle a lengthy and challenging road trip.

Prior to heading out west, the Raptors look for a bit of revenge against one of the few teams to beat them north of the border as they kick off their trip Monday night against the*Chicago Bulls.

The Raptors (22-6) have won 20 games before Christmas for the first time in team history, are primed to blow past last season's franchise-best 48-win mark and on Monday can win their seventh in a row -- which would stand as Toronto's longest win streak since a nine-game run late in the 2001-02 season.

Any impending success, however, will have to take place on the road. The Raptors' stop in Chicago marks the start of a season-high six-game trip after they've played an NBA-high 17 home games so far.

"I'm ready for it," coach Dwane Casey told the team's official website. "I've been preaching it, and we should be ready for it. Everyone is all excited."

The Bulls (17-9) are the first of four opponents on this trip with a winning percentage of at least .654. Each of the Raptors' victories during this streak has come against teams with sub-.500 records, including a 118-108 win over New York on Sunday.

"It's important that we play good teams because it's really going to test our character," said*Greivis Vasquez, who scored 21 points and joined*Kyle Lowry*and Lou Williams (22 each) with 20-plus. "We haven't really faced adversity and everything right now is great, but I think we're ready for a couple of premium tests."

Even without*DeMar DeRozan*since Nov. 30, the Raptors have managed to lead the NBA in points per 100 possessions (113.1) in December.

Chicago managed to disrupt Toronto's offense at the Air Canada Centre on Nov. 13, holding the Raptors to a season-worst 39.3 percent mark from the field in a 100-93 win.*Pau Gasol*led the way with 27 points and 11 rebounds while*Jimmy Butler*added 21 points, nine boards and six assists.

The Bulls are 13-2 when they hold opponents to fewer than 100 points -- a feat they've accomplished in each of their last four games, most recently in a 103-97 win at Memphis on Friday.

After scoring a career-high 35 in a victory over New York on Thursday, Butler followed it with 31 and 10 rebounds against the Grizzlies.

"Jimmy, every time that game was hanging in the balance he came through with a big play for us," coach Tom Thibodeau told the Bulls' official website. "Clutch play after clutch play. Great defense. No possessions off. Plays were great. Intensity was great. Great concentration. You can't say enough about what he does. Huge, huge."

Butler helped the Bulls get by Friday without*Derrick Rose*and*Taj Gibson, both of whom are expected to return Monday. Rose, who had 13 second-half points in the first meeting with Toronto, has missed the last two games with an illness, while Gibson sat out both with a right ankle injury.

The Bulls have lost their last three home games against the Raptors -- all without Rose -- while being held to an average of 84.7 points.

[Burgz V2]

Jimmy Butler will give us fits tonight, I am almost sure of it.

I hope we remember what happened the last time we played each other. Hopefully we come to play tonight.

[Legends66NBA7]

Jimmy Butler will give us fits tonight, I am almost sure of it.

I hope we remember what happened the last time we played each other. Hopefully we come to play tonight.

I'm not as worried about Butler; it's Chicago's big men that will give us the most trouble, IMO.

[Real14]

Bulls gonna win by 7 or more:applause:

[Burgz V2]

I'm not as worried about Butler; it's Chicago's big men that will give us the most trouble, IMO.

In the last game, I agree, that was the case. But if you look at that game closely, that was one of the few games you could honestly say our frontcourt got out worked. Not a difference in talent, just not enough effort/playing too tentatively.

Jimmy Butler was a wrecking ball on defense against us last time, and without DeRozan, he might be able to focus more on his own game on the offensive end.

[BRabbiT]

.... big men that will give us the most trouble, IMO.

this.

[nathanjizzle]

look for d rose to pu up 25 +, if he plays.

[red1]

gasol went off last game. cant let that shit happen again

[Twiens]

Casey needs to trust Val tonight, we'll need him.

[Velocirap31]

If the Raptors don't play their worst game of the season like last time, they can get this one.

[Clocian-IGN]

Butler going off.

[Legends66NBA7]

Ross showing horrible defensive awareness early.

[Velocirap31]

Butler going off.

I really hope you just jinxed him.

[Legends66NBA7]

If the Raptors don't play their worst game of the season like last time, they can get this one.

That wasn't even close to their worst game of the season. DeRozan ? Sure. But not the whole team.

Their worst game is either against Miami or LA Lakers.

[Velocirap31]

That wasn't even close to their worst game of the season. DeRozan ? Sure. But not the whole team.

Their worst game is either against Miami or LA Lakers.

Forgot about the Lakers, that game made me mad. I didn't watch their next 3 games or so after that one. Kobe had a flashback game though which didn't help.

[dubnation]

Watching the Blazers/Rockets game... how does Rose look out there?

[Legends66NBA7]

Our defense isn't good right now, but the offense is clicking.

[dontgetchoked]

Watching the Blazers/Rockets game... how does Rose look out there?
getting buckets. 8 points in 8 minutes

[poido123]

I like Gibson, but I hate how he takes up all of Mirotic's minutes.

Thibs has to work out a way to spread out the minutes, particularly in the reg season.

[poido123]

Watching the Blazers/Rockets game... how does Rose look out there?


Can you be coasting and score 8 points in 8 minutes?

Rose is barely trying and making it look easy.

[poido123]

Bulls playing like ass right now.

Terrible start to the quarter.

Gibson give up the ball and stop trying to score at all costs :facepalm

[dontgetchoked]

kirk :facepalm brooks is clearly the better player and kirk keeps getting minutes. If thibs doesnt take his minutes away, he should bench himself for the good of the team :oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

Ross is shooting well... but man, every time it seems like he gets a bigger role it seems like he makes more mistakes on other things.

Just seems lazy and dumb for some reason. Like, that turnover on the side... why is he winding up like it's a sure thing ? Just have to take the shot, don't over do it.

Not to mention, I don't know what he's doing on defense.

[Real14]

Come on bulls. Catch up and take the lead.

[Legends66NBA7]

**** defense was the theme of that half.

[j3lademaster]

Just got back from work. Valanciunas with 16 at the half? who's been guarding him?

[Burgz V2]

Like I said before the game, we need to figure out how to deal with Jimmy Butler. But I didn't expect this game to be in the 60s by half. Both teams playing terrible defense.

[Qwyjibo]

I wish that Vasquez just understood that he is a really poor perimeter shooter. I don't mind those floaters and he seems to get into the lane often... just do that instead.

The Raptors are paying James Johnson $2.5 million this year. Amazing.

[Legends66NBA7]

I wish that Vasquez just understood that he is a really poor perimeter shooter. I don't mind those floaters and he seems to get into the lane often... just do that instead.

The Raptors are paying James Johnson $2.5 million this year. Amazing.

Compared to what Landry Fields is getting paid... :(

[Legends66NBA7]

Take Ross out of the game for now. If he's cold, he's not doing much out there.

[Kungfro]

Was listening to the game on satellite radio on my way home, totally forgot Chuck Swirsky does radio play by play for the Bulls. Kinda bizarre hearing him call the game.

[Burgz V2]

I wish that Vasquez just understood that he is a really poor perimeter shooter. I don't mind those floaters and he seems to get into the lane often... just do that instead.

The Raptors are paying James Johnson $2.5 million this year. Amazing.

I know. He's such a versatile player. Love the way he attacks the rim too. Wish he could shoot the 3 consistently but I'd rather him not try and keep getting into the paint.

[Prodigy]

I can't believe Ross actually took that shot intead of hitting Hayes up for a wide open layup.

[Legends66NBA7]

Man, I don't know how their still in it. Some really questionable shots and are on a back to back.

Keep fighting, though.

[Burgz V2]

Aaron Brooks is guarding Terrence Ross, and we run a play for Lou Williams being guarded by Jimmy Butler. SMDH.

[Prodigy]

So people wonder why the Bulls flame out in the playoffs every year. :roll: :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

Aaron Brooks is guarding Terrence Ross, and we run a play for Lou Williams being guarded by Jimmy Butler. SMDH.

Oh, don't forget Lou guarding Jimmy on the other end at times too.

:facepalm

[The_Yearning]

Give the ball to Nikola and gtfo the way.

[Legends66NBA7]

Butler is on pace to play 45 minutes tonight. :biggums:

[Velocirap31]

One of the refs is a Bulls homer it seems. Some awful calls. Luckily that goaltending was overturned.

[Burgz V2]

Bulls defense on point right now. Raptors struggling to even get back on D.

[Legends66NBA7]

We can't have 1 bench player show up in this game, man. Patrick is the only player who hasn't forced his game tonight.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bulls defense on point right now. Raptors struggling to even get back on D.

Gassed out it seems.

[Burgz V2]

what a horrible flop by mirotic.

[Burgz V2]

wow this ref is on one right now that was the worst call of them all

[Prodigy]

That might be a game-ending call right there.

[Clocian-IGN]

Rose and Jimmy killing it

[Velocirap31]

Bullshit call there on Val. **** the refs, I'm not wasting my time with this shit

[beastee]

How bout you guys stop rose n butler instead of blaming refs.

[1rkrage]

How bout you guys stop rose n butler instead of blaming refs.
:cheers:

[dontgetchoked]

rose ****ing cluch tonight 13 points in the 4th hit like 4 shots in a row

[chocolatethunder]

Holy shit Butler is killing them. 11 boards and 5 blocks. 5 blocks. God damn.

[1rkrage]

Rose raining them daggers

[Milbuck]

Rose :applause:

[Batz]

MVP Rose. :bowdown: :applause:

[Burgz V2]

damn, Derrick Rose. 4th qtr takeover.

[Kblaze8855]

Rose made like 4 pullup jumers, a circus layup, and added a nice dumpoff to Noah for the dunk. You cant have all that and win a close game. And Butler just bullied everybody....

[Poetry]

rose ****ing cluch tonight

:rockon:

[emaugust]

Rose :rockon: :pimp:

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Too bad Rose can't stay healthy long enough to show just how good a Rose-Butler backcourt would be.

[Legends66NBA7]

And Butler just bullied everybody....

This is what won the game.

[beastee]

Rose n butler healthy like this spells doom for the ecf. Insane tonight

[Burgz V2]

Terrence Ross you're a mother****ing idiot. why do you foul when they are in the penalty.

[Legends66NBA7]

Terrence Ross you're a mother****ing idiot. why do you foul when they are in the penalty.

Bro... I'm getting so tired of his mistakes. He did this in the first game against the Bulls too. Fouled Mike D on the 3 point line when we played great D on that possession.

[Burgz V2]

Jimmy Butler will give us fits tonight, I am almost sure of it.

I hope we remember what happened the last time we played each other. Hopefully we come to play tonight.

I hate to be right about something like this but it's glaringly obvious that we have no answer for this guy. Rose took over, but Butler paced them this game. His defense is unreal.

[beastee]

Raps looked great for 40 minutes. With Derozan back they will be a tough out in the playoffs. Impressed.

[Velocirap31]

Good game bulls. Derrick Rose put it away and Jimmy Butler killed us again.

[emaugust]

Someone pointed out on the Bulls board Niko has 12 points on 2 shots hahahaha.

[Burgz V2]

Bro... I'm getting so tired of his mistakes. He did this in the first game against the Bulls too. Fouled Mike D on the 3 point line when we played great D on that possession.

he has the tools to be a great defender, but his lack of basketball IQ is so obvious at this point. Great shooter, great athlete, but he still has a lot of work to do.

[1rkrage]

Someone pointed out on the Bulls board Niko has 12 points on 2 shots hahahaha.
I love that ****er. The hype is real:bowdown:

[BurningHammer]

Well, there are 5 more tough games waiting for Raps. I wish they can get 3 wins out of those.

[Legends66NBA7]

Raps looked great for 40 minutes. With Derozan back they will be a tough out in the playoffs. Impressed.

Raps played terrible in the 2nd half.

[jamal99]

Someone pointed out on the Bulls board Niko has 12 points on 2 shots hahahaha.
:lol :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

Well, there are 5 more tough games waiting for Raps. I wish they can get 3 wins out of those.

Same. Go 3-3 or better, it's a successful road trip.

[Burgz V2]

Well, there are 5 more tough games waiting for Raps. I wish they can get 3 wins out of those.

we really need DeRozan right now. we had a good run at the start of his layoff, but this next stretch is going to be tough. 5 game west coast trip starting with the Clips, back to back with the Nuggets and the high altitude.

If we don't win against LA, it's gonna be tough to win any of those other 4.

[Velocirap31]

Raps have heart

[nnn123]

Bulls trying to choke away the game as usual :lol

[nathanjizzle]

We the north

[Qwyjibo]

- Greivis Vasquez has been f'ing awful so far this year. He's been killing the Raptors on both ends.

- I wish Ross could do something in addition to just hitting threes. ANYTHING else. I see so little improvement in his game since he came into the NBA.

- The Bulls better ready to match a max contract in the offesason. Jimmy Butler will be offered one.

[Legends66NBA7]

- Greivis Vasquez has been f'ing awful so far this year. He's been killing the Raptors on both ends.

- I wish Ross could do something in addition to just hitting threes. ANYTHING else. I see so little improvement in his game since he came into the NBA.

- The Bulls better ready to match a max contract in the offesason. Jimmy Butler will be offered one.

I hope we get a back up C that defends and will be utilized. We some how have 3 and none of them get any significant minutes. :confusedshrug:

[hitmanyr2k]

***

[beastee]

Bulls scored 49 points in the 4th quarter and rose didn't miss a fg attempt in it. Wtf?

[Velocirap31]

Raptors defense has really fallen off a cliff

[Legends66NBA7]

Bulls scored 49 points in the 4th quarter and rose didn't miss a fg attempt in it. Wtf?

Yeah, I'm reading right now that's a record.

https://twitter.com/RaptorsMR


Bulls set a Raptors opponent record for points in a 4th quarter with 49. Old: 45, vs. NY, 4/6/96.

[dontgetchoked]

http://i.imgur.com/0pqt5JL.jpg

niko for roty

[poido123]

So people wonder why the Bulls flame out in the playoffs every year. :roll: :roll:


You mean every year that Rose was injured?

:hammerhead:

[Twiens]

Jimmy is so damn good, easily an all-star. Best player on the Bulls.

[Pointguard]

Raptors defense has really fallen off a cliff
Yeah, going to haunt them in the playoffs. And how they deal with injuries.... They play good team ball. They could fall down to fourth place within the next two weeks. How they deal with that adversity will help them a lot in the long run.

[Pointguard]

This is what won the game.
Figured you would say that. The game was tied at 7 minutes to go and that's when Rose started going off. With Rose easily being the main player a tied game turns to a 13 point lead... it was a five minute cook - game over.

[Legends66NBA7]

Figured you would say that.

You literally just waited to say that.

[Qwyjibo]

The Raptors don't have a lot of talent in the frontcourt. JV has been playing well lately. But if both Amir and Patterson are off like they were today, they don't stand much of a chance.

[Legends66NBA7]

The Raptors don't have a lot of talent in the frontcourt. JV has been playing well lately. But if both Amir and Patterson are off like they were today, they don't stand much of a chance.

Patterson ? He played well, only bench guy who showed up.

Amir, I have no clue what's up with him but I bet it's the ankles. He's looked bad on back to back nights.

[yeaaaman]

Bulls scored 49 points in the 4th quarter and rose didn't miss a fg attempt in it. Wtf?

That should be one of the biggest takeaways - a 50-point 4th quarter? That's god awful

[Legends66NBA7]

That should be one of the biggest takeaways - a 50-point 4th quarter? That's god awful

And they played awful in that 2nd half.

This whole system ISO after ISO. Need more defense and rebounding too, it's pretty evident they don't have that right now.

[hawksdogsbraves]

The Raptors offense really does have to be a little worrisome. Running so many iso's doesn't bode well for a deep playoff run.

[Burgz V2]

The Raptors don't have a lot of talent in the frontcourt. JV has been playing well lately. But if both Amir and Patterson are off like they were today, they don't stand much of a chance.

We completely went away from JV in the second half. Have no idea why.

[Legends66NBA7]

The Raptors offense really does have to be a little worrisome. Running so many iso's doesn't bode well for a deep playoff run.

Worrisome is a stretch. It's just they relied on it too much tonight but I get why.

It's a back to back and nobody outside Kyle is going to make the right decision to go the basket. Lou Williams doesn't do that often and Vasquez is just too stupid to do that and he settles rather than running the play.

And the playoffs aren't something they should be worried about right now. It's a long season. I'm more concerned about how they make adjustments in the defensive executions. That's probably going to need a trade, though... but I don't want to them give up any picks or young players for a short term need.

[yeaaaman]

And they played awful in that 2nd half.

This whole system ISO after ISO. Need more defense and rebounding too, it's pretty evident they don't have that right now.

Yep. We'll see where they are at once Demar gets back, but some of this early season success needs to be tempered - again I know they're playing without Derozan, but I think they're going to need more than that.

Here are wins against their toughest opponents this year:

vs, Washington without B. Beal
vs. Memphis without Allen Lee and some others
@ Cleveland in the early stages who they've gone on to lose twice in a row to
Atlanta twice.

Throw in PHX if you want, but we'll get a better idea of what the Raptors are really made of after this trip.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Worrisome is a stretch. It's just they relied on it too much tonight but I get why.

It's a back to back and nobody outside Kyle is going to make the right decision to go the basket. Lou Williams doesn't do that often and Vasquez is just too stupid to do that and he settles rather than running the play.

And the playoffs aren't something they should be worried about right now. It's a long season. I'm more concerned about how they make adjustments in the defensive executions. That's probably going to need a trade, though... but I don't want to them give up any picks or young players for a short term need.

Definitely too early to get worried, that was too strong a phrase.

Such a low assist rate isn't a good sign for a team looking to take the next step and make a deep playoff run though. Need to work on developing the offense over the next few months leading into the playoffs. When the game slows down it's just going to magnify any offense that doesn't have great ball movement.

Getting Derozan back will obviously make a huge difference.

[Legends66NBA7]

Yep. We'll see where they are at once Demar gets back, but some of this early season success needs to be tempered - again I know they're playing without Derozan, but I think they're going to need more than that.

Here are wins against their toughest opponents this year:

vs, Washington without B. Beal
vs. Memphis without Allen Lee and some others
@ Cleveland in the early stages who they've gone on to lose twice in a row to
Atlanta twice.

Throw in PHX if you want and, but we'll get a better idea of what the Raptors are really made of after this trip.

It depends on which DeRozan comes back too. It will take time, but he has to be the facilitator he was last year.

On the wins...

Washington wasn't going to win that game with or without Beal. Raptors were in complete control. Beal has been inconsistent this season, doesn't seem like much has changed with him. Either he has his jumper going or he doesn't.

Memphis's core players played well enough to make it competitive. Still thought that win was solid.

Cleveland, I agree with. I even said they don't look like a great team.

But yeah, the road trip is going to be tough especially with no DeRozan and Fields either who has really been a decent role player. If they go 3-3 or better, it's best case scenario.

[Legends66NBA7]

Definitely too early to get worried, that was too strong a phrase.

Such a low assist rate isn't a good sign for a team looking to take the next step and make a deep playoff run though. Need to work on developing the offense over the next few months leading into the playoffs. When the game slows down it's just going to magnify any offense that doesn't have great ball movement.

Getting Derozan back will obviously make a huge difference.

I think the Raptors can play at any pace, even slow. You're right, there should definitely be more passing; too many long jumpers bail defenses out. They do get to the free throw line a lot though.

A huge key is Valanciunas. He plays aggressive, he'll start commanding double teams and that triggers more off ball cuts.

[poido123]

Bulls have Raptors beat in the bigs.

If it comes down to a playoff series, this will be the telling factor IMO.


That and no answer for Butler.

[red1]

hehehe good thing I missed this one

[SamuraiSWISH]

Butler is ballin, and D-Rose is taking over in the clutch. Feels good.

:pimp:

[Dengness9]

I was at the Madhouse tonight and let me tell you firsthand, that was a fun basketball game.

Feeling lucky to have witnessed first hand the best combined night of Rose and Butler to date yet. Jimmy paced the Bulls and Rose had some points early and then took over the 4th, credit to Lowry for some tough baskets in the game too.

And Mirotic? That young stud is the ROY with Parker out. He probably won't win it due to rotation minute restrictions. But Mirotic will be on the court at the end of a lot of games. He's that good already, such a unique talent.

Bulls are a bad matchup for the Raps IMO. Close teams but Bulls are ultimately more talented with the rise of Jimmy and Niko.

When the Bulls have all their players, they are scary good usually. Exciting times for Bulls fans.

[Real14]

Props to the bulls tho, made my day:applause: