NBA Game Summary - Chicago at Toronto

02.16.2005

Toronto, ON (Basketball News) - Kirk Hinrich poured in a team-high 28 points to lead Chicago past Toronto, 121-115, at Air Canada Centre.

Eddy Curry dropped in 25 points and Luol Deng finished with 20, as the Bulls won their third straight contest. Ben Gordon ended with 17 points off the bench, while Chris Duhon added 12 points and eight assists in the win.

Chris Bosh led the way for Toronto with 28 points and Jalen Rose netted 25 in the losing effort. The Raptors have lost six of their last seven home games. Rafer Alston ended with 21 points and Donyell Marshall tallied 17 points off the bench in the loss.

Already leading by three, the Bulls used a 13-4 surge to open the third quarter and took a 75-62 lead at the 8:47 mark. Hinrich’s basket capped the run, while Duhon recorded six points during the flurry.

Toronto came storming back and eventually tied it 88-88 on a three by Marshall with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. Chicago, though, led 93-90 heading into the fourth.

The Bulls maintained their four-point cushion throughout the early portions of the final frame until Rose cut it to two, 100-98 on a layup with under eight minutes to go.

Chicago countered with six straight points, keyed by four from Gordon, to grab an eight-point advantage.

The Raptors were unable to recover as the Bulls went on to the six-point victory.

Both clubs came out hot in the first quarter as they combined to hit 10 three- pointers in the frame with the Bulls claiming a 37-34 advantage. Hinrich finished the half with 18 points and Chicago led 62-58 at the break.

Hinrich left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent jammed finger and never returned...Chicago has won seven straight in the series, including the last three at Toronto...The Raptors have lost eight of 11 and nine of their last 13 contests, and fell to 2-27 when they allow 100 points or more...The Bulls improved to 12-2 when they eclipse the 100-point mark, and shot a season-high 58 percent for the game...Toronto shot 51 percent from the floor and went 28-of-32 from the free throw line.

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