Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls Mar.29/09

Chris Bosh had 31 points and 15 rebounds, Andrea Bargnani added 28 points and the Toronto Raptors survived a late scare to defeat the Chicago Bulls 134-129 in a thrilling overtime game Sunday afternoon at the Air Canada Centre.

Jose Calderon added 22 points and tied a franchise record with 19 assists to help give the Raptors their first four-game winning streak of the season.

Ben Gordon tallied 37 points while rookie point guard Derrick Rose added 23 with nine rebounds for the Bulls, who had their season-high winning streak snapped at four games.

The Raptors led by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter but quickly saw that lead evaporate thanks to the hot shooting of Gordon. The athletic swingmen scored 17 points in the frame to key the Bulls' comeback and give his team a chance to win.

With under 20 seconds remaining in the game and the Bulls trailing by just one point, Gordon had a chance to give his team the lead. His jump shot rimmed out though and fell into the hands of Rose who missed a wide open layup.

The team's exchanged a pair of free throws before Anthony Parker missed one of two to give Chicago one last chance to send the game to overtime. This time, Gordon didn't miss his opportunity. He hit a fadeaway jump shot over the outstretched arms of Bosh to just beat the buzzer and send the game to overtime.

In the overtime frame, though, the Raptors took control once again. Bargnani hit a wide-open three-pointer with 1:47 remaining to give Toronto a lead it would not relinquish.

With the win the Raptors finish their five-game homestand with a 4-1 record and continue to play the role of spoiler to teams trying to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls' loss dropped their lead over the Charlotte Bobcats to two games for the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Raptors, who hadn't won four games in a row since Dec. 9-14, 2007, got off to a quick start thanks to the post presence of Bosh and Bargnani. The duo combined for 15 points and four rebounds to help give the Raptors a 30-21 lead after the first quarter.

Toronto (28-46) extended that lead early in the second by going on a 10-3 run capped by a midrange jump shot from Roko Ukic. The Bulls cut that lead in half by going on an 8-0 run in the dying minutes of the first half but still found themselves down 11 at the break despite 12 points and three rebounds from Jaokim Noah.

Notes: Buffalo Bills' Terrell Owens sat courtside for the game. During a timeout in the second quarter the controversial wide receiver autographed a pair of footballs and tossed them into the crowd. . . . Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn also sat courtside for the game.

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• Raptors
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• Chicago
• Bulls
• Mar.29/09

[DaLiLFlipJr]

Pops is the next Kemp/Garnett

[Jeque99]

OMG Pops is the man!!! Love that dunk

[AHMADISNOTJEWISH]

I LOVE YOU POPS

WHYD WE LET HIM GO ? :(

[raphael928]

me too :D

[Abounassar]

i was at that game! :D

[chromethemist]

yep pops

hes good playin inside

and marion showing that his a better defender than jermaine oneal hehe

[chromethemist]

whoo

Moon and Oneal out

marion in

better team hehe

Defense UP!

[lilyums123]

i hade floor seats this game!

[wrestja1234]

We don't need Moon no more after seeign Pops play! Pops can get rebounds and work on the offensive glass! And Bargs is doing a lot better than O'Neal. Great win for Toronto, hopefully they can carry that momentum to Orlando :D.

They should start Pops some day :P

[thug4lifetc]

woooooooooooooooooooooooottt everybody played amazing much deserved win let me count how many wins is that 1,2,3,4 !!!!! its been a while and it feels good!