The Toronto Raptors came out of the All-Star break in rhythm Thursday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 110-101 behind a big performance from Brandon Ingram.
Ingram led the way with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists as Toronto won for the eighth time in 12 games to improve to 33-23, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Ja’Kobe Walter each scored 14 points, while RJ Barrett added 13.
Chicago made a late push after Anfernee Simons drained a 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run, cutting the deficit to 103-101 with 2:12 remaining. But Toronto answered in the closing minutes. Collin Murray-Boyles converted a three-point play with 1:18 left, and Ingram followed with a 17-footer with 36 seconds to go to stretch the lead to seven and seal it.
Simons finished with 20 points in his fifth game with Chicago since arriving in a trade. Isaac Okoro contributed 16 points. The Bulls also welcomed back Josh Giddey and Tre Jones from hamstring injuries. Giddey had five points and five assists, while Jones posted 12 points and six assists in roughly 21 minutes apiece.
Chicago, now 24-32 and 11th in the East, dropped its seventh straight game. Assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. led the team in place of Billy Donovan, who was away following his father’s passing.
Up next:
The Raptors head to Milwaukee on Sunday, while the Bulls continue their seven-game homestand Saturday night against Detroit.
