Brandon Ingram scores 31 as Raptors take down Bulls again
Brandon Ingram scored 31 points to fuel the visiting Toronto Raptors to a 110-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
Ingram added eight rebounds and six assists to help the Raptors defeat the Bulls for the second time this month. He scored 33 points in Toronto's 123-107 home victory over Chicago on Feb. 5.
Immanuel Quickley, who scored 24 points in the first meeting with the Bulls, joined Scottie Barnes and Ja'Kobe Walter with 14 points apiece on Thursday.
Barnes also grabbed nine rebounds for the Raptors, who benefited from 23 turnovers by Chicago to pick up their eighth win in the past 12 games.
Anfernee Simons scored 20 points and Isaac Okoro added 16 for the Bulls, who saw their losing streak extend to seven games.
Chicago's Tre Jones recorded 12 points and six assists and Josh Giddey had five and five in their returns from their left hamstring injuries. Jones hadn't played since Jan. 22, while Giddey missed the team's previous eight games after aggravating the injury against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 28.
Jalen Smith collected nine points and 10 rebounds for Chicago in his return from a three-game absence caused by a strained right calf.
Wes Unseld Jr. guided the Bulls in place of Billy Donovan, who is away from the team following the death of his father, Bill.
The Bulls whittled a 14-point deficit down to 103-101 on Simons' 3-pointer with 2:12 to play in the fourth quarter. Collin Murray-Boyles converted a three-point play to halt the momentum, and Ingram drained a step-back jumper on the Raptors' next possession.
Barrett blocked Simons' 3-point attempt and sank two free throws with 24.2 second remaining to effectively seal the win.
Collin Sexton sank a 3-pointer to give Chicago a 30-27 lead early in the second quarter before Barnes scored eight straight points to highlight Toronto's 12-0 run.
The Raptors extended their lead to 80-66 in the third quarter before the Bulls scored seven straight points to halve their deficit. Ingram stopped the surge by sinking his third 3-pointer of the game.
Ingram got off to a fast start, scoring nine of Toronto's first 15 points, staking the team to an early lead.