NBA Game Summary - Toronto at Chicago

04.10.2005

Chicago, IL (Basketball News) - Tyson Chandler recorded his team-high 18th double-double of the season as Chicago clinched its first post-season berth since Michael Jordan left the franchise in 1998 with a 110-97 decision over Toronto at the United Center.

Chandler scored a season-high 18 points and pulled down 21 rebounds, while Kirk Hinrich netted 19 of his 25 points in the second half to go along with eight assists for Chicago, which has won 12 of its last 13 games.

"Tyson is an animal in there," Hinrich said. "He is a rebounding machine. He plays with a lot of energy and he is a big part of what we do."

The Bulls are currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, 2 1/2 games in front of idle Indiana. Jordan led Chicago to its sixth NBA championship in 1998 before his first retirement.

As for clinching the playoff spot, Hinrich said, "It feels great. I know we have some games to play, but we know we are in the playoffs, and it is exciting. Nobody has done that around here for a while, and it feels good."

Antonio Davis also had a double-double with 13 points and 13 boards for Chicago, which swept the season series from Toronto for the second straight year. The Raptors have lost nine in a row to the Bulls.

Leading Toronto was Jalen Rose with 19 points, while Morris Peterson provided 18.

Rafer Alston added 17 points and nine assists and Chris Bosh chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

In addition to winning the rebounding battle, 53-34, Chicago forced 14 turnovers while committing just 10.

The Bulls controlled this game from the opening tip, racing to a 16-8 lead early before ending the first quarter in front, 35-26.

By outscoring Toronto 27-24 in the second frame, Chicago stretched its advantage to double-figures, leading 62-50 at intermission.

The 62 points tied a season-high for first-half points for the Bulls, who never trailed. Davis and Othella Harrington netted 10 points apiece, while Chandler corralled 11 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end, in the first 24 minutes.

"I am happy for (Chandler)," Davis said. "He is a great kid and he is really deserving. He works really hard and we have come to expect big rebounding games from him, and him protecting the paint."

Toronto used a 17-6 run to pull within eight points late in the third quarter, which ended with the Bulls still leading, 85-77.

Following a pair of free throws, a three-pointer and a jumper by Hinrich, Chicago held a 99-85 advantage midway through the fourth quarter and cruised to the finish.

"They were just more athletic than us tonight," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "We had no answer for Tyson Chandler. They killed us on the boards. They played good defense and in general cut us off from our game."

The Bulls also beat the Raptors February 16th and March 23rd...The last time Toronto defeated Chicago was December 6, 2002...Up next, the Bulls will host Detroit and the Raptors will host Indiana...Chicago improved to 25-13 at the United Center and has won six in a row at home...Toronto fell to 9-30 on the road this season...Prior to Saturday’s game, the Raptors placed forward Donyell Marshall on the injured list with a strained right Achilles...Toronto signed NBDL guard Omar Cook, who had played 44 games this season with the Fayetteville Patriots, to fill Marshall’s spot...The Bulls announced Saturday that forward Luol Deng will undergo surgery to repair a ligament tear in his right wrist, which will end his rookie season. The surgery, which is scheduled for Tuesday in New York City, is expected to have Deng in a cast for six-to-eight weeks, followed by three-to-six months of rehabilitation...Harrington finished with 12 points.

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