Legends66NBA7
01-03-2016, 03:55 PM
http://www.nba.com/games/20160103/CHITOR/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nba:scoreboard
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Lengthy stretches against East opponents might help the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors see their places more clearly in the conference, and a second matchup within a week between the two provides a good start.
The Bulls seek their seventh straight win in the series and second in six days when they visit the Raptors on Sunday.
Chicago (19-12) began its three-game overall win streak with Monday's 104-97 victory over Toronto before an overtime win over Indiana and a rout of New York gave the club a perfect 3-0 homestand.
The final two wins came without point guard Derrick Rose, who will travel with the team to Toronto but is iffy to return from right hamstring tendinitis. Rose, who has averaged 14.4 points in 27 games, scored 20 against the Raptors on Monday.
The Bulls have also played without All-Star Joakim Noah for five games, but he could be cleared to return from a shoulder injury this week.
Chicago has started to roll without the pair early on during a 10-game stretch against East opponents. The Bulls, however, are 10-8 within the conference largely because they've gone 2-5 against those opponents away from home.
While 13-year veteran Kirk Hinrich has started in place of Rose, rookie Bobby Portis has seen a huge uptick in minutes during Noah's absence.
Portis has scored in double figures in three straight games and finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds in Friday's 108-81 victory over the Knicks. It was his second double-double in a two-week span after playing in just four of Chicago's first 24 games.
"Not trying to go out there and score or rebound," Portis said. "Just trying to go out there and just play my role and bring positive energy."
Portis is averaging 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in his last seven games, and coach Fred Hoiberg said he has earned a spot in the rotation even when Noah returns.
"We're going to continue to find minutes for Bobby," Hoiberg said. "There is no doubt about it. He's playing too well."
Portis had 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting and nine rebounds versus Toronto. The first-round pick in June helped Chicago's bench outscore the Raptors' reserves 51-27.
Toronto (21-13) will play its fifth during a 13-game stretch against the East. The Raptors improved to 13-6 and 7-1 at home against in-conference opponents with Friday's 104-94 win over Charlotte.
Although it was their fourth win in five games, coach Dwane Casey wasn't entirely happy with an offense that limped through a third straight sub-par shooting game. Toronto has shot 37.0 percent over its last two after a 43.2 mark in Chicago.
"I'd love to shoot 45, 47, 48 (percent), but right now we're kind of discombobulated offensively," Casey said. "And we'll get there, but it's going to take a little time, it's a little bumpy right now."
The Raptors, who have won seven of eight at home, survived against the Hornets by matching a season high with 15 3-pointers on 33 attempts. Toronto won its 14th straight game when holding opponents to fewer than 100 points and is 19-3 in such games.
Kyle Lowry scored 28 points in the first matchup against Chicago, and he has averaged 31.0 points on 56.8 percent shooting in his last two against the Bulls.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/raptors/sites/default/files/styles/story_main_photo/public/rapsvs-web_2.png
http://mlse.digital/raptors/projectedlineups-010316.jpg
Lengthy stretches against East opponents might help the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors see their places more clearly in the conference, and a second matchup within a week between the two provides a good start.
The Bulls seek their seventh straight win in the series and second in six days when they visit the Raptors on Sunday.
Chicago (19-12) began its three-game overall win streak with Monday's 104-97 victory over Toronto before an overtime win over Indiana and a rout of New York gave the club a perfect 3-0 homestand.
The final two wins came without point guard Derrick Rose, who will travel with the team to Toronto but is iffy to return from right hamstring tendinitis. Rose, who has averaged 14.4 points in 27 games, scored 20 against the Raptors on Monday.
The Bulls have also played without All-Star Joakim Noah for five games, but he could be cleared to return from a shoulder injury this week.
Chicago has started to roll without the pair early on during a 10-game stretch against East opponents. The Bulls, however, are 10-8 within the conference largely because they've gone 2-5 against those opponents away from home.
While 13-year veteran Kirk Hinrich has started in place of Rose, rookie Bobby Portis has seen a huge uptick in minutes during Noah's absence.
Portis has scored in double figures in three straight games and finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds in Friday's 108-81 victory over the Knicks. It was his second double-double in a two-week span after playing in just four of Chicago's first 24 games.
"Not trying to go out there and score or rebound," Portis said. "Just trying to go out there and just play my role and bring positive energy."
Portis is averaging 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in his last seven games, and coach Fred Hoiberg said he has earned a spot in the rotation even when Noah returns.
"We're going to continue to find minutes for Bobby," Hoiberg said. "There is no doubt about it. He's playing too well."
Portis had 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting and nine rebounds versus Toronto. The first-round pick in June helped Chicago's bench outscore the Raptors' reserves 51-27.
Toronto (21-13) will play its fifth during a 13-game stretch against the East. The Raptors improved to 13-6 and 7-1 at home against in-conference opponents with Friday's 104-94 win over Charlotte.
Although it was their fourth win in five games, coach Dwane Casey wasn't entirely happy with an offense that limped through a third straight sub-par shooting game. Toronto has shot 37.0 percent over its last two after a 43.2 mark in Chicago.
"I'd love to shoot 45, 47, 48 (percent), but right now we're kind of discombobulated offensively," Casey said. "And we'll get there, but it's going to take a little time, it's a little bumpy right now."
The Raptors, who have won seven of eight at home, survived against the Hornets by matching a season high with 15 3-pointers on 33 attempts. Toronto won its 14th straight game when holding opponents to fewer than 100 points and is 19-3 in such games.
Kyle Lowry scored 28 points in the first matchup against Chicago, and he has averaged 31.0 points on 56.8 percent shooting in his last two against the Bulls.