FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 125, ATLANTA HAWKS 114
DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
Atlanta
114
25-27
Hunter/Collins – 23
Capela – 9
Young – 13
Toronto
125
28-23
Siakam – 33
Anunoby – 10
VanVleet – 11
KEY RUN
After a Trae Young step-back jumper cut the Raptors’ lead to just three points (115-112) with 3:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, Toronto went on a 10-2 run to close the game … The Raptors held the Hawks scoreless in three of their final four possessions to preserve the win.
KEY STAT
The Raptors shot a season-high .630 (17-27) from three-point range, while holding the Hawks to .310 (9-29) … Atlanta entered tonight having connected on 10+ three-pointers in 12 consecutive games, it was the third longest streak in franchise history … Over the last three contests the Raptors are shooting .488 (61-125) from beyond the arc.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win, Toronto improves to 28-23 this season and 16-12 at home … The Raptors have now won five consecutive games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 4) and seven of their last nine (Jan. 21 – Feb. 4) … Toronto is five games above .500 for the first time since the team ended the 2019-2020 season at 53-19 … The Raptors begin a three-game road trip (Feb. 7-10) Monday night in Charlotte.
Pascal Siakam recorded a season high-tying 33 points, along with nine rebounds and four assists in 40 minutes … Siakam has scored 30+ points 34 times in his career, including five time this season … The Raptors are 29-5 all-time, and a perfect 5-0 this season, when Siakam scores 30 or more … Tonight, Siakam passed Jonas Valanciunas (5,524) for seventh on the Raptors’ all-time points list.
Pascal Siakam scored 21 of Toronto’s 39 first quarter points … The only other time Siakam has scored 20+ points in a quarter was Jan. 26, 2020 at San Antonio where he scored a franchise-record 25 points in the first quarter.
Fred VanVleet finished with 26 points and 11 assists for his 10th double-double of the season … VanVleet also added four rebounds in 38 minutes … VanVleet has recorded 10+ assists in nine games this season, something he did in six times in 52 contests last year.
HAWKS NOTES:
With the loss, Atlanta falls to 25-27, including 10-15 on the road … The Hawks will play the second of consecutive road games (Feb. 4-6) Sunday in Dallas.
Trae Young tallied 22 points, 13 assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes for his team-leading 24th double-double of the season … With his13 assists tonight, Young tied Cliff Hagan (2,229) for ninth on the Hawks’ all-time assists list.
De’Andre Hunter scored 23 points (7-18 FG, 2-4 3PT, 7-8 FT), and added four rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes … Tonight marks just the second time Hunter has led (or tied) the Hawks in scoring, the other game was Nov. 3 at Brooklyn where he scored a season-high 26 points.
The Hawks went 43-for-93 (.462) from the field and have now shot at least 45 percent from the floor in a season-high nine consecutive games (Jan. 19 – Feb. 3).
Atlanta matched a season best with 12 steals … The Hawks were led by Delon Wright and Bogdan Bogdanovic who each tallied a season-high four steals.
As the fourth player among Eastern Conference frontcourt players in fan voting – and still a possibility as an all-star starter once the injured Kevin Durant does the expected and bows out of the festivities in Cleveland – Tatum’s inclusion was a given.
• The Toronto Raptors finish a three-game homestand (Feb. 1-4) Friday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won four in a row and six of their last eight. The Raptors snapped the Hawks’ seven-game winning streak with a 106-100 victory Monday in Atlanta. Gary Trent Jr. scored 31 points and Pascal Siakam added 23 in the win. Tonight is the second of four meetings between the two teams this season. Toronto is 6-3 in the second game of a back-to-back set. • The Raptors have won four in a row (Jan. 29 – Feb. 3). Toronto is averaging 116.8 points and shooting .441 (172-390) from the field, including 42 percent (60-143) from three-point distance, during this streak. Over the last four, the Raptors are +11 on the offensive glass (55-to-44) and have a +21 (52-to-73) turnover differential which has resulted in Toronto attempting 31 more field goals (390-to-359) than its opponent. Gary Trent Jr. is averaging a team-high 30.6 points over the last four games. • Fred VanVleet has been named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland. VanVleet becomes just the eighth player in franchise history to earn an All-Star selection. He is the first undrafted player in the NBA to be named an All-Star since Ben Wallace in 2006. VanVleet signed with Toronto as a free agent in 2016. • Fred VanVleet is averaging career highs of 21.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 38.7 minutes in 45 games this season. He leads the NBA in minutes per game, ranks second in total deflections (178), third in three-point field goals (174) and fifth in steals (77). VanVleet has scored 20+ points 23 times, including 30 or more on eight occasions, and recorded nine double-doubles. • Pascal Siakam recorded his team-leading 15th double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds in Thursday against Chicago. Siakam is currently averaging 21.1 points, and career highs of 8.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He is one of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic. • The Raptors beat Chicago 127-120 in overtime on Thursday. Pascal Siakam led Toronto with 13 rebounds, Precious Achiuwa grabbed 11 and Chris Boucher had 10. Siakam, Achiuwa and Boucher all had five offensive rebounds apiece, combining for 15 of the Raptors’ season high-tying 22 offensive boards. Toronto currently rank second in the NBA in both offensive rebounds (13.3) and second-chance points (16.4). Scottie Barnes has grabbed a team-high 113 offensive rebounds this season (first among rookies) – the most by a Raptors rookie since Jonas Valanciunas (121) in 2012-13. • Sophomore Precious Achiuwa and rookie Scottie Barnes have been selected to participate in the 2022 Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star 2022. Toronto will have two players in the showcase event for the first time since Andrea Bargnani and Jamario Moon in 2008. Achiuwa was also named to the World Team roster for the 2021 NBA Rising Stars (the game was not played) as a rookie with Miami last season. PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 36.2 REB: 7.8 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 14.7 • Recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes Feb. 3 vs. Chicago (OT). • Leads all rookies in minutes (36.2), ranks second in rebounds (7.8) and fourth in points (14.7). • Has scored 20+ points in 10 games – the most by a Raptors rookie since Charlie Villanueva (12) in 2005-06. F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 37.2 REB: 5.4 AST: 2.7 STL: 1.6 TO: 1.7 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 18.7 • Contributed 21 points and six rebounds in 42 minutes of action Feb. 3 vs. Chicago (OT). • Has scored 20+ points in a single-season career-high 17 games; something he did in 13-of-43 contests last year. • Averaging 19.3 points and shooting .534 (47-88) from the floor over the last six games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 1). C – PASCAL SIAKAM #43|
MIN: 37.7 REB: 8.6 AST: 5.2 STL: 1.4 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 21.1 • Finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 45 minutes Feb. 3 vs. Chicago (OT). • Posted 15 double-doubles in 37 games – three shy of his single-season career high set in 2018-19 (18). • Has recorded multiple steals in each of the last five games (Jan. 26 – Feb. 3), totalling 14 steals during this span. G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.8 REB: 2.8 AST: 2.0 STL: 1.9 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.1 • Scored 16 points in 40 minutes Feb. 3 vs. Chicago (OT); added three rebounds, three assists and two steals. • Ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.85) and seventh in total deflections (139). • Averaging a team-high 25.4 points and shooting .477 (41-86) from three-point range in over the last eight games. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.7 REB: 4.7 AST: 7.1 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.5 • Tallied 21 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals in 42 minutes Feb. 3 vs. Chicago (OT). • Ranks second in the NBA in total deflections (178), third in three-point field goals (174) and fifth in steals (77). • The Raptors are 7-1 when VanVleet scores 30+ points.
The NBA trade deadline in days away, and a blockbuster deal between two Eastern Conference contenders might be in the works. Ben Simmons has been the biggest name on the trade market dating back ages, and James Harden is no stranger to these types of rumors, either. A recent report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania […]
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 127, CHICAGO BULLS 120
DATE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
Chicago
120
32-19
Vučević – 30
Vučević – 18
Dosunmu – 8
Toronto
127
27-23
Siakam – 25
Siakam – 13
VanVleet – 9
KEY RUN
Toronto ended the game on a 7-0 run to seal the victory … Tied at 120 with 2:38 remaining in overtime, Scottie Barnes hit a turnaround bank shot to give the Raptors a 122-120 lead … After keeping Chicago scoreless on three possessions, Gary Trent Jr. hit a three-pointer to extend the Raptors’ lead to five (125-120), before Pascal Siakam clinched the win with two free-throws.
KEY STAT
The Raptors matched a season high with 22 offensive rebounds … Toronto outrebounded Chicago 58-to-51, including 22-to-10 on the offensive glass, led by five apiece from Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher and Pascal Siakam … Achiuwa recorded 11 rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench, and reached 500 career boards tonight.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win, Toronto falls to 27-23 this season and 15-12 at home … The Raptors have now won four consecutive games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 3) and six of their last eight (Jan. 21 – Feb. 3) … Toronto completes the second half of back-to-back games (Feb. 3-4) tomorrow night when they host Atlanta.
Pascal Siakam finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in 45 minutes … Siakam has posted a team-high 15 double-doubles this season and Toronto is 10-5 in these games … In the first half tonight, Siakam recorded 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, it is the third time this year he has posted 15/5/5 in a half and he is the only Raptor to record this stat line three times in a single season.
Fred VanVleet recorded 21 points, four rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 42 minutes … Prior to tonight’s game, VanVleet was named as a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game … VanVleet becomes the eighth Raptor in franchise history to earn an All-Star selection and is the first undrafted player to be named an All-Star since Ben Wallace in 2006.
OG Anunoby finished with 21 points and six assists in 42 minutes … Anunoby hit back-to-back three-pointers and scored six of Toronto’s 13 points in the overtime period … Anunoby is averaging 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in three games against the Bulls this season.
Scottie Barnes tallied 21 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes … Barnes leads all rookies with 10 games of 20+ points and five or more rebounds.
Chris Boucher recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench for his sixth double-double of the season … Boucher holds the franchise record with 19 double-doubles as a reserve.
Toronto had all five of its starters score in double-digits, including four players registering 20+ points (Anunoby, Barnes, Siakam and VanVleet) … The Raptors also tied a season-high with 30 assists.
BULLS NOTES:
With the loss, Chicago is now 32-19, including 13-13 on the road … The Bulls will play the second game of a back-to-back set (Feb. 3-4) tomorrow night in Indiana.
Nikola Vučević finished with 30 points and 18 rebounds in 39 minutes for his team-leading 28th double-double of the season … Vučević has had double-doubles in eight of the last nine games (Jan. 19 – Feb. 3), averaging 21.0 points and 13.2 rebounds during this stretch … Vučević has recorded 30+ points and 15+ rebounds 14 times in his career, most recently April 6, 2021 at Indiana.
DeMar DeRozan recorded 28 points, six rebounds and seven assists in 45 minutes … DeRozan scored 16 second-half points and nine of the Bulls’ final 13 points … He entered tonight second overall in fourth quarter scoring (337 points) … In three games vs. Toronto this season, DeRozan is averaging 27.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
The Bulls recorded 30 assists for the 14th time this season … Only San Antonio (21) and Golden State (20) have reached this mark in more games than Chicago.
GAME #50 – TORONTO RAPTORS (26-23) vs. CHICAGO BULLS (32-18) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
The Toronto Raptors continue a three-game homestand (Feb. 1-4) Thursday night when they host the Chicago Bulls in the first game of a back-to-back set. Atlanta visits Toronto on Friday. The Raptors have won three in a row and four of their last five. Thursday marks the third of four meetings with Chicago this season – the Bulls have won the first two games, including a 111-105 victory last Wednesday in Chicago. • Gary Trent Jr. match a season-high with 33 points (11-20 FG, 6-10 3PT, 5-8 FT) in Tuesday’s win vs. Miami. Trent Jr. has now scored 30+ points in a career-best five straight games (Jan. 25-31), tying the franchise record set by DeMar DeRozan (Oct. 26 – Nov. 4, 2016). Trent Jr. is averaging 32.2 points and shooting .496 (56-113) from the field over the last five games. • Gary Trent Jr. has made at least five three-pointers in a franchise record five straight games (Jan. 25-31), shooting .517 (31-60) from beyond the arc during this stretch. His 31 threes tied Fred VanVleet’s Raptors record for most threes made in a five-game span set earlier this season (Jan. 2-9). • The Raptors are shooting .484 (30-62) from three-point range over the last two games (Jan. 31 – Feb. 1) after shooting a season-best 50 percent (18-36) Monday night at Atlanta. Gary Trent Jr. made a career-high nine threes in the win over the Hawks. • The NBA announced Tuesday that sophomore Precious Achiuwa and rookie Scottie Barnes have been selected to participate in the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star 2022. Toronto will have two players in the showcase event for the first time since Andrea Bargnani and Jamario Moon in 2008. • Pascal Siakam finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds Tuesday against the Heat for his team-leading 14th double-double of the season. Siakam is currently averaging 21.0 points, and career highs of 8.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He is one of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic. • Fred VanVleet is averaging career highs of 21.5 points, 7.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds this season. He leads the NBA in minutes per game (38.6) and has logged 40+ minutes 16 times this season – the most by a Raptor since Kyle Lowry (19) during the 2016-2017 campaign. VanVleet ranks second in the NBA in total deflections (174). VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. • The Raptors currently rank second in the NBA in both offensive rebounds (13.2) and second-chance points (16.4). Scottie Barnes has grabbed a team-high 110 offensive rebounds this season (first among rookies) the most by a Raptors rookie since Jonas Valanciunas (121) in 2012-13. Fred VanVleet leads Toronto with 118 second chance points, followed closely by Barnes (112). PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 36.2 REB: 7.8 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 14.6 • Tallied 11 points, nine rebounds and two assists in 42 minutes Feb. 1 vs. Miami. • Ranks second among rookies in rebounds (7.8), and fourth in both points (14.6) and assists (3.4). • Has scored 20+ points in nine games – the most by a Raptors rookie since Charlie Villanueva (12) in 2005-06. F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 37.1 REB: 5.6 AST: 2.6 STL: 1.7 TO: 1.7 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 18.7 • Contributed 13 points, three rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes Tuesday against the Heat. • Has scored 20+ points in a single-season career-high 16 games; something he did in 13-of-43 contests last year. • Averaging 19.0 points and shooting .534 (39-73) from the floor over the last five games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 1). C – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 37.5 REB: 8.5 AST: 5.1 STL: 1.4 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 21.0 • Finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals in 35 minutes Feb. 1 vs. Miami. • Posted 14 double-doubles in 36 games – four shy of his single-season career high set in 2018-19 (18). • Has recorded multiple steals in each of the last four games (Jan. 26 – Feb. 1), totalling 12 steals during this span. G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.7 REB: 2.8 AST: 2.0 STL: 1.9 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.2 • Scored a season high-tying 33 points (11-20 FG, 6-10 3PT, 5-8 FT) in 41 minutes Tuesday vs. Miami. • Ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.85) and tied for sixth in total deflections (136). • Averaging a team-high 26.7 points in seven games (Jan. 21 – Feb. 1) since returning to the lineup Jan. 21. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.6 REB: 4.7 AST: 7.0 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.6 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 21.5 • Recorded 21 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals in 38 minutes Feb. 1 vs. Miami. • Ranks second in the NBA in total deflections (174) and seventh in steals per game (1.70). • The Raptors are 7-1 when VanVleet scores 30+ points. INJURY REPORT Khem Birch (Nose; Fracture) – Out Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out UPDATED: Feb. 2, 2022 NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Atlanta Hawks Date: Friday, February 4 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN, NBA TV Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto SERIES RECAP VS. ATLANTA OVERALL HOME ROAD 2021-22 1-0 0-0 1-0 ALL-TIME 48-48 24-23 24-25 STREAKS Won 1 Lost 2 Won 1 LAST WIN: Jan. 31, 2022 (106-100) LAST HOME WIN: Jan. 28, 2020 (130-114) LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +44 (Dec. 3, 2016) LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -31 (Dec. 2, 2009) LAST TIME VS. ATLANTA GAME 48 – JANUARY 31, 2022 TORONTO 106, ATLANTA 100 ATLANTA — Gary Trent Jr. scored 31 points, Pascal Siakam added 23 and the Toronto Raptors snapped Atlanta’s seven-game winning streak with a 106-100 victory … Trent, who has scored at least 30 points in four straight games, hit three 3s in the closing minutes of the third quarter, including a buzzer-beater, and then connected again early in the fourth to put the Raptors up 85-77 … Fred VanVleet, who scored 16, got hot in the fourth, hitting consecutive 3s to push the lead to nine … The Hawks were playing without All-Star guard Trae Young, who was scratched with a right shoulder contusion … Kevin Huerter scored 26 points to lead Atlanta … The Hawks pulled within one on Onyeka Okongwu’s lay-in midway through the fourth and Bogdan Bogdanovich’s straightaway 3 with 1:52 remaining … Trent answered with a 3, and Bogdanovic made a corner 3 to make it 101-100 … OG Anunoby then shot a 3-pointer to put the Raptors up 104-100 with 20.1 seconds to go, and Toronto closed out the game … The Raptors erased an 11-point deficit when Scottie Barnes converted a three-point play to make it 63-61 midway through the third … It was the Raptors’ first lead since it was 25-23 … Atlanta led 57-48 at halftime as Huerter scored 16 points, going 6 for 6 from the field and hitting three 3s. 1 2 3 4 TOT TORONTO 25 23 32 26 106 ATLANTA 24 33 15 28 10
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 26-23 18-14 8-9 HOME 14-12 8-7 6-5 AWAY 12-11 10-7 2-4 OVERTIME 1-1 1-1 0-0
CHICAGO BULLS (32-18) @ TORONTO RAPTORS (26-23) Game 51, Road Game 26 Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 – 6:30 PM CT Scotiabank Arena NBC SPORTS CHICAGO / WSCR-AM 670 PROB-A-BULL STARTERS Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Player Updates F 24 JAVONTE GREEN 6-6 215 2021-22 Season: 6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, 22.5 mpg, .516 FG%, .311 3FG%, .778 FT% Career vs. TOR: 8 games, 4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.5 apg, 9.0 mpg, .583 FG%, .429 3FG%, .600 FT% Note: Has scored in double figures in three of his last four games, shooting 18-for-31 (.581) FG%. F 11 DeMAR DeROZAN 6-6 220 2021-22 Season: 26.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 35.0 mpg, .505 FG%, .357 3FG%, .858 FT% Career vs. TOR: 8 games, 23.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 7.8 apg, 35.5 mpg, .518 FG%, .462 3FG%, .896 FT% Note: Averaging 30.8 ppg while connecting on 60-of-95 (.632) from the floor over his last 5 games. C 9 NIKOLA VUČEVIĆ 6-11 260 2021-22 Season: 16.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 bpg, 33.4 mpg, .450 FG%, .324 3FG%, .746 FT% Career vs. TOR: 35 games, 14.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 29.5 mpg, .474 FG%, .359 3FG%, .700 FT% Note: Recorded his team-leading 27th double-double with 18 points & 13 rebounds vs. ORL (2/1/22) G 8 ZACH LaVINE 6-5 202 2021-22 Season: 24.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 apg, 34.1 mpg, .484 FG%, .395 3FG%, .874 FT% Career vs. TOR: 15 games, 17.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 33.5 mpg, .425 FG%, .284 3FG%, .788 FT% Note: Has scored in double figures in 145 of his last 146 games; ranks 14th in the NBA in scoring. G 12 AYO DOSUNMU 6-5 200 2021-22 Season: 7.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 23.6 mpg, .531 FG%, .432 3FG%, .660 FT% Career vs. TOR: 1 game, 7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 38.1 mpg, .300 FG%, .000 3FG%, .500 FT% Note: In 12th start: 36 min, shot 4-of-7 from floor (3-of-5 from arc), with 9 asts & 1 turnover vs ORL (2/1).
NEXT FIVE GAMES: DATE GAME OPPONENT SITE TIME (CT) TV RADIO 02/04 52 @ Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse 6 p.m. NBCSCH WSCR-AM 670 02/06 53 PHILADELPHIA United Center 2:30 p.m. NBCSCH WSCR-AM 670 / WRTO 1200, TUDN 02/07 54 PHOENIX United Center 7 p.m. NBCSCH/NBATV WSCR-AM 670 / WRTO 1200, TUDN 02/09 55 @ Charlotte Spectrum Center 6:30 p.m. NBCSCH/ESPN WSCR-AM 670 02/11 56 MINNESOTA United Center 7 p.m. NBCSCH WSCR-AM 670 / WRTO 1200, TUDN 2021-22 RECORD HOME ROAD OT OVERALL 32-18 19-6 13-12 0-0 EASTERN 21-11 12-5 9-6 0-0 WESTERN 11-7 7-1 4-6 0-0
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE/RESULTS: OCTOBER (5-1) 20 @ Detroit, W 94-88 22 vs. NOP, W 128-112 23 vs. DETROIT, W 97-82 25 @ Toronto, W 111-108 28 vs. NEW YORK, L 103-104 30 vs. UTAH, W 107-99 All times Central NOVEMBER (9-7) 1 @ Boston, W 128-114 3 @ Philadelphia, L 98-103 6 vs. PHILADELPHIA, L 104-115 8 vs. BROOKLYN, W 118-95 10 vs. DALLAS, W 117-107 12 @ Golden State, L 93-119 14 @ L.A. Clippers, W 100-90 15 @ L.A. Lakers, W 121-103 17 @ Portland, L 107-112 19 @ Denver, W 114-108 21 vs. NEW YORK, W 109-103 22 vs. INDIANA, L 77-109 24 @ Houston L 113-118 26 @ Orlando, W 123-88 27 vs. MIAMI, L 104-107 29 vs. CHARLOTTE, W 133-119 DECEMBER (9-2) 2 @ New York, W 119-115 4 @ Brooklyn, W 111-107 6 vs. DENVER, W 109-97 8 @ Cleveland, L 92-115 11 @ Miami, L 92-118 14 vs. DETROIT POSTPONED 16 @ Toronto POSTPONED 19 vs. LA LAKERS, W 115-110 20 vs. HOUSTON, W 133-118 22 vs. TORONTO POSTPONED 26 vs. INDIANA, W 113-105 27 @ Atlanta, W 130-118 29 vs. ATLANTA W 131-117 31 @ Indiana, W 108-106 JANUARY (8-8) 1 @ Washington, W 120-119 3 vs. ORLANDO, W 102-98 7 vs. WASHINGTON W 130-122 9 @ Dallas, L 99-113 11 vs. DETROIT, W 133-87 12 vs. BROOKLYN, L 112-138 14 vs. GOLDEN STATE, L 96-138 15 @ Boston, L 112-114 17 @ Memphis, L 106-119 19 vs. CLEVELAND, W 117-104 21 @ Milwaukee, L 90-94 23 @ Orlando, L 95-114 24 @ Oklahoma City W 111-110 26 vs. TORONTO, W 111-105 28 @ San Antonio, L 122-131 30 vs. PORTLAND, W 130-116 FEBRUARY (1-0) 1 vs. ORLANDO, W 126-115 3 @ Toronto, 6:30 p.m. 4 @ Indiana 6 p.m. 6 vs. PHILADELPHIA, 2:30 p.m. 7 vs. PHOENIX, 7 p.m. 9 @ Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. 11 vs. MINNESOTA, 7 p.m. 12 vs. OKLA. CITY, 7 p.m. 14 vs. SAN ANTONIO, 7 p.m. 16 vs. SACRAMENTO, 7 p.m. 24 vs. ATLANTA, 7 p.m. 26 vs. MEMPHIS, 7 p.m. 28 @ Miami, 6:30 p.m. MARCH (0-0) 3 @ Atlanta, 6 p.m 4 vs. MILWAUKEE, 6:30 p.m. 7 @ Philadelphia, 6 p.m. 9 @ Detroit, 6 p.m. 12 vs. CLEVELAND, 7 p.m. 14 @ Sacramento, 9 p.m. 16 @ Utah, 8 p.m. 18 @ Phoenix, 9 p.m. 21 vs. TORONTO, 7 p.m. 22 @ Milwaukee, 7 p.m. 24 @ New Orleans, 7 p.m. 26 @ Cleveland, 7 p.m. 28 @ New York, 6:30 p.m. 29 @ Washington, 6 p.m. 31 vs. L.A. CLIPPERS, 7 p.m. APRIL (0-0) 2 vs. MIAMI, 7 p.m. 5 vs. MILWAUKEE, 7 p.m. 6 vs. BOSTON, 7 p.m. 8 vs. CHARLOTTE, 7 p.m. 10 @ Minnesota, TBD 2021-22 TRANSACTIONS: Acquired Lonzo Ball from New Orleans (8/8) … Signed free agent Alex Caruso (8/10) … Acquired DeMar DeRozan from San Antonio (8/11) … Re-signed Javonte Green (8/11) … Signed Tony Bradley (8/11) … Signed Ayo Dosunmu (8/12) … Signed Marko Simonović (8/12) … Signed Devon Dotson to a Two-Way contract (8/13) … Acquired Derrick Jones Jr. from Portland (8/28) … Signed Matt Thomas (9/4) … Signed Alize Johnson, Stanley Johnson and Ethan Thompson (9/6) … Signed Tyler Cook (9/7) … Signed Daniel Oturu (9/26) … Waived Ethan Thompson and Daniel Oturu (10/11) … Waived Stanley Johnson (10/16) … Converted Tyler Cook to Two-Way contract (10/16) … Signed Stanley Johnson to 10-Day contract (12/9) … Signed Alfonzo McKinnie to 10-Day contract (12/10) … Signed Alfonzo McKinnie to second 10-day contract (12/20) … Signed Mac McClung to 10-day contract (12/22) … Signed Ersan Ílyasova to 10-Day contract (12/22) … Waived Alize Johnson (12/26) … Signed Alfonzo McKinnie to standard contract (12/26) … Signed
NOTE-A-BULL FOR TONIGHT At 32-18 (.640), the Bulls own the best record in the East. Before this current campaign, the last time the Bulls were 32-18 was January 20, 1974. DeMAR DeROZAN and ZACH LaVINE have scored 20+ points in the same game an NBA-best 27 times. Tonight is the first of a back-to-back for Chicago. All-in-all the Bulls have 17 back-to-backs this season. So far they’ve won eight of 10 openers and six closers. TEAM NOTE-A-BULLS This season the Bulls are 18-1 (.947) when its bench outscores their counterparts. They are also 16-2 (.889) when they shoot 50% or better from the floor, and 21-3 (.875) when they hand out more assists. Chicago has hit the 130-point mark an NBA-best seven times this season. The Bulls have also posted 70+ points by halftime five times this season. Last year, they were only able to accomplish this twice in 72 games. The Bulls have shot .500 or better from the field an NBA-best 18 times this season. The Bulls have also shot .500 or better from the field and .400 or better from three in the same game an NBA-leading 15 times this season. The Bulls have also dished 30+ helpers 13 times, tying them with Charlotte for 4th most in the league. Chicago’s 46-point drubbing (133-87) of the Detroit Pistons (1/11) was not only its 10th straight win over a longtime rival, it also marked the franchise’s largest margin of victory since February, 22, 1991 when the Bulls stampeded past the Sacramento Kings, 129-82 (47 points). The 133-points scored vs. Detriot (1/11) was the third time time this season the Bulls have torched the twine for that many points. Chicago last scored 133 points three times in a season in 1990-91. The Bulls also tied a season-high with 18 treys (18-of-34 .529) vs. Detroit (1/11). Chicago had earlier knocked down 18 from long distance at Atlanta (12/27). The Bulls definitely weren’t done rewriting the (season) record book after the opening 24 minutes against the Hawks (12/29), as the team went on to record season-bests in shooting (52-of-84 .619 FG%) and assists 38, a total that hadn’t been reached since Dec. 2, 2014, in a double-overtime game vs. Dallas. Also against Atlanta (12/29), all 12 active Bulls players saw the floor and scored, with seven notching double figures, and two posting double-doubles (Nikola Vučević – 16 points/20 rebounds and Coby White – 17 points/12 assists). PLAYER NOTE-A-BULLS NIKOLA VUČEVIĆ notched his 27th double-double of the season vs. Orlando (2/1) with 18 points and 13 rebounds. That ties him with Giannis Antetokounmpo for the 6th-most double-doubles in the NBA this season. Vučević has been on a roll of late, recording double-doubles (points/rebounds) in eight of his last nine games. AYO DOSUNMU shot a perfect 9-of-9 from the field to start the game at Oklahoma City (1/24), establishing a new Bulls rookie record. ORLANDO WOOLRIDGE held the previous mark by shooting 8-of-8 at Indiana (1/17/82) during his first season. Dosunmu finished the night with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the 3-point arc. DeMAR DeROZAN posted a season-high 41 points at Orlando (1/23) on 15-of-21 shooting (.714) from the field – his highest shooting percentage when scoring 40+ points. It was also his third straight game of scoring 30+ points. DOSUNMU became the first rookie in NBA history to record 20+ points and 10 assists while shooting 90% (9-of-10, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc) from the floor in a game at Boston (1/15). It was his third career start, and he finished with 21 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. DOSUNMU backed up his historic night in Boston (1/15) with a second consecutive double-double at Memphis (1/17), posting 15 points and 10 rebounds, while also bagging four steals against the Grizzlies. He’s the first Bulls rookie to record back-to-back double-doubles since ELTON BRAND in April, 2000. DeMAR DeROZAN became the first player in NBA history to hit game-winning buzzer-beaters on back-to-back days with clutch 3-pointers at Indiana (12/31) and at Washington (1/1). Only one other player in NBA history (Boston Hall of Famer LARRY BIRD) hit back-to-back game-winning buzzer-beaters before, but Bird’s occurred over three days (Jan. 27 and Jan. 29, 1985). (Basketball-Reference) DeMAR DeROZAN (35 points, 10 assists) and ZACH LaVINE (30 points, nine assists) became the second pair of Bulls teammates to post 30+ points and hand out 9+ assists in the same game (at Atlanta 12/27) since MICHAEL JORDAN (37 points, nine assists) and SCOTTIE PIPPEN (35 points, nine assists) at Boston on March 31, 1991. (NBA History). DeROZAN (38x) and LaVINE (37x) are two of only six players in the league (and the only teammates) to score 20+-points 37 times this season, and in the same game an NBA-best 27 times. DeROZAN (13x) and LaVINE (12x) are also the only teammates to score 30+-points at least a dozen times this season. When it comes to scoring down the stretch, Chicago’s Dynamic Duo are two of the best in the business. DeROZAN ranks 2nd overall in 4th-quarter scoring with 337 points while LaVINE is 12th with 233 points. DeROZAN ranks 6th in scoring with an average of 26.5 points. Only eight times has he failed to post 20+-points, but he’s scored in double-figures in every appearance (46) this season. LaVINE ranks 14th in in scoring with an average of 24.9 points per game. He has failed to score 20+-points only six times this season. 2021-22 NBA KEY DATES 2021 Oct. 19 Start of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season 2022 Jan. 5 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 All Standard NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Jan. 20 All Two-Way Contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Feb. 10 NBA Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET) Feb. 18-20 NBA All-Star 2022 (Cleveland, OH) Mar. 1 Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline Apr. 12-15 NBA Play-In Tournament Apr. 11 Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2022 (3 p.m. ET) Apr. 16 NBA Playoffs 2022 begin May 2-3 Conference Semifinals begin (possible move up to April 30/May 1) May 17 NBA Draft Lottery 2022 presented by State Farm May 17-18 Conference Finals begin (sepossible move up to May 15-16) June 2 NBA Finals 2022 begin SEEING STARS: The All-Stars on the Bulls roster are making more good cases to be included in the NBA’s marquee weekend again this season. DeMAR DeROZAN, ZACH LaVINE and NIKOLA VUČEVIĆ are playing some of the best basketball in the East at their positions, and AYO DOSUNMU is making his presence known among his rookie class as a Rising Star. DeROZAN was named a starter in the All-Star Game on Jan. 27 for the third time in his career. It’s his first All-Star nod as a member of the Bulls, but his fifth selection overall. AYO DOSUNMU – Selected by NBA assistant coaches, Dosunmu was recently named one of 12 first-year players to participate in the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars Game on Friday, Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star Weekend. TNT will televise the annual showcase of premier young talent at 8 p.m. CT. In 12 games as a starter this season, Dosunmu has averaged 37.5 mpg, 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists and only 1.8 turnovers while shooting .573 from the field, .459 from three and .842 from the free throw line. o He’s one of five rookies to have consecutive double-double games this season (1/15 at BOS and 1/17 at MEM), and one of two to score at least 15 points in both of the games. o Is the only rookie to shoot .500 or better (.531) from the field and .400 or better (.432) from three (with a minimum of 40 games played). TWO FOR THE ROAD: Ten times this season DeMAR DeROZAN and ZACH LaVINE combined to score 60+-points in a game. Each occasion has come on the road, with Chicago winning eight of the 10 games. DIALING LONG DISTANCE: ZACH LaVINE is quickly rising to the top of the Bulls’ All-Time Three-point list. In the fourth game of the season (and LaVine’s 209th as a Bull), the 8th-year guard knocked down three treys at Toronto (10/25/21) to pass franchise icon MICHAEL JORDAN (555) for the No. 4 spot in Bulls history. LaVine then moved ahead of fellow Bulls Hall of Famer, SCOTTIE PIPPEN (664), after hitting three more long distance shots vs. Portland (1/30/22) in his 247th game as a Chicago Bull. The franchise’s No. 2 spot is in now sight and could LaVine’s by the end of this season
Toronto: A. Steeves (12) PP (B. Seney, J. Duszak), F. Král (3) (C. Douglas, J. Blandisi), S. Der-Arguchintsev (7) PP (J. Blandisi, M. Abrmaov), A. Suomela (8) (A. Steeves, F. Král) Goaltender: E. Källgren (21/24) W
Grand Rapids:J. Martin (2) (T. Hirose, W. Newpower), R. Murphy (7) (B. Lashoff, T. Spezia), B. McKenzie (2) (M. Berry) Goaltender:C. Pickard (28/32) L
ON THE SCORESHEET
Alex Steeves put the Marlies on the board 27 seconds into the second period and later added the primary assist on Suomela’s third period goal.This was his second power play goal.He has 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 24 games this season.
Filip Král scored at 1:22 of the second period and later added the secondary assist on Suomela’s third period goal. He has 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists) in 33 games this season.
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev scored on the power play at 6:18 of the third period.
Antti Suomela scored the game-winning goal at 15:33 of the third period. He has goals (3) in three consecutive games. Suomela has 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 18 games this season.
Brett Seney recorded the primary assist on Steeves’ second period goal. He has points (1-4-5) in three consecutive games.
Joseph Duszak registered the secondary assist on Steeves’ second period goal. This was his 13th power play assist.
Curtis Douglas picked up the primary assist on Král’s second period goal. He has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) in 33 games this season.
Joseph Blandisi had the secondary assist on Král’s second period goal and the primary assist on Der-Arguchintsev’s third period goal. He has points (2-6-8) in five consecutive games. Blandisi has 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 13 games with the Marlies this season.
Mikhail Abramov recorded the secondary assist on Der-Arguchintsev’s third period goal. He has 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists) through 35 games this season.
Erik Källgren stopped 21 of 24 shots he faced. He is 12-6-0 with a 0.912 save percentage. Källgren has won three consecutive games, making 76 saves.
OF NOTE
Toronto finished their eight-game road trip 5-2-1-0. The road trip included four overtime games (3-1).
Toronto went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 2-for-6 on the power play. This is the sixth game where Toronto has recorded two power play goals. Toronto is 13-7-1-0 when scoring on the power play and 12-6-0-0 when not allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
Toronto had a 32-24 edge in shots in all situations. Joseph Duszak and Alex Steeves led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 7-3-0-0 when outshooting their opponent.
The Marlies are 5-1-0-0 against Central Division opponents and 2-0-0-0 against the Griffins.
RECORD WHEN
Opponent scores first 6-11-1-0 Trailing after 1 6-9-0-0 Trailing after 2 2-9-0-0 On the road 11-7-1-0 February 1-0-0-0 Wednesday 3-3-1-0 1 goal game 9-2-2-1
As of late when we found ourselves down whether it’s the second or third period, the group’s starting to find confidence in their ability to come back and what it takes to win and find their game in those moments. It’s good to see. We have some guys who have stepped up in big way.
NICK ROBERTSON
On his first game since returning from injury:
It was a lot of fun. I’ve been away for a long time and it was the first injury I’ve had where I was off for three months. Today, I just had no expectations. Really just tried to play well and get the rust off and go from there.
ALEX STEEVES (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)
On tonight’s game: It’s just a greasy road win. They feel amazing. It makes the bus ride home much more of a good time. Special teams were huge. Goaltending was huge. You get those two, you do it on the road and you give yourself a chance which is what we got tonight.
On special teams: We talk with our special teams coaches and when you know you’re doing good things you just have to refocus in a different way and get a little extra effort. It’s huge for both units to get in on it tonight on the man advantage and the huge 5-on-3 penalty kill, a couple of huge blocks and big saves, those are momentum builders on the road and when you get that you give yourself a chance.
UPCOMING GAMES: *All times Eastern Standard Time
February 5 vs. Rochester – 4:00 p.m. February 16 vs. Belleville – 7:00 p.m. February 18 at Belleville – 7:00 p.m. February 19 vs. Belleville – 4:00 p.m. February 21 vs. Laval – 3:00 p.m. (Scotiabank Arena)
The last month has been terribly tumultuous for the Golden State Warriors. Klay Thompson’s return and Draymond Green’s injury coincided on Jan. 9. Steph Curry’s shooting slump never seemed to break. 605 more words
Trailing 93-92 with 6:46 left in the fourth quarter, Gary Trent Jr. scored eight straight points, including back-to-back threes to give Toronto the lead (100-93) … The Raptors led the rest of the way … Miami pulled within two just under 10 seconds left but Toronto held on for the victory.
KEY STAT
The Raptors shot .462 (12-26) from three-point range, while holding Miami to .267 (8-30) from beyond the arc … The Heat entered tonight having made 15+ three-pointers in a franchise record six straight games (Jan. 21-31) … Toronto has now shot 45 percent or better from beyond the arc in consecutive contests, after shooting a season-best 50 percent (18-36) Monday night in Atlanta.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win, Toronto improves to 26-23 this season and 14-12 at home … The Raptors have won four of their last five games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 1) … Toronto continues a three-game homestand (Feb. 1-4) Thursday night against Chicago.
Gary Trent Jr. finished with a season high-tying 33 points (11-20 FG, 6-10 3PT, 5-8 FT) in 41 minutes … Trent Jr. has now scored 30+ points in a career-best five consecutive games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 1) matching the franchise record set by DeMar DeRozan (Oct. 26 – Nov. 4, 2016) … During this stretch Trent Jr. is averaging 32.2 points and shooting .496 (56-113) from the field and .517 (31-60) from beyond the arc.
Gary Trent Jr. has also set the franchise record after making five or more three-point field goals in five consecutive games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 1) … Kyle Lowry held the previous record with four straight games (Mar. 18-23, 2018) … Trent Jr. has made 31 three-pointers over the last five games, tying the franchise record for the most three-pointers over a five-game span set by Fred VanVleet earlier this year (Jan. 2-9).
Pascal Siakam recorded 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals in 35 minutes … Siakam has recorded a team-high 13 double-doubles this season – Toronto is 9-5 in these games … With seven offensive rebounds tonight, Siakam reached 500 career offensive boards, becoming just the eighth player in franchise history to achieve this milestone.
HEAT NOTES:
With the loss, Miami is now 32-20, including 14-14 on the road … The Heat will continue a six-game road trip (Jan. 31 – Feb. 10), Thursday night in San Antonio.
Bam Adebayo recorded a season-high 32 points and 11 rebounds in 35 minutes for his 13th double-double of the season … Adebayo leads the Heat with 13 double-doubles despite missing 24 games this season … Tonight marks just the third time in his career that Adebayo has recorded 30+ points and 10+ rebounds.
Jimmy Butler finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes … Butler has recorded 10 double-doubles this season, and the Heat drop to 8-2 when he records a double-double … In three games vs. Toronto this season, Butler is averaging 24.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists.
The view from left field 