CHICAGO (AP) — Coby White scored 24 points, including a clutch four-point play, and the Bulls rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 125-115 in overtime on Friday night. White completed his biggest play of the night with four seconds left in regulation to tie the National Basketball Association contest at 110 and set up the extra period, where Lonzo Ball made a pair of 3-pointers during an opening 10-2 run, giving Chicago the lead for good.
Josh Giddey had 19 points and 12 assists for the Bulls, who also got 15 points and 13 rebounds from Zach Collins. Scottie Barnes, the Raptors' standout, scored 24 points but couldn't prevent his team from experiencing its third consecutive loss, which now extends to nine defeats out of their last 11 games.
With the Raptors initially holding the upper hand, Toronto surged to a 101-88 lead with nine minutes remaining. It appeared as though they would break their losing streak, but the Bulls mounted a fierce comeback, embarking on a run of 12 consecutive points over 4:30, significantly shifting the momentum of the game.
The Raptors had looked solid, leading 63-54 at halftime after taking control early with a 10-2 run to start the second quarter. They seemed poised to secure the victory; yet, mistakes and missed shots proved catastrophic as Chicago crept back late.
"Toronto were very much in command but dug their own grave with turnovers and errors," said Bulls' coach Billy Donovan. Chicago scored 24 points off turnovers, which was pivotal for the outcome.
The game took on heightened seriousness when White delivered his dramatic three-pointer and drew a foul against Immanuel Quickley, who ended the game with 23 points but fouled out just one minute after the start of overtime. This clutch play energized the Bulls crowd, who had started leaving as Toronto initially led 110-106 with seconds remaining.
The Bulls trailed throughout much of the contest but capitalized on key scoring chances. Despite Nikola Vucevic missing his third consecutive game due to a right calf injury, Chicago's bench played impressively, contributing to the team’s ability to overcome the Raptors. Outrebounded overall 51-45 and struggling on the offensive boards (16-10), the Bulls managed to offset those disadvantages with determined execution on offense.
Key plays included Lonzo Ball's two three-pointers early on during overtime and Giddey's facilitation, which helped bolster the Bulls after they initially found themselves down by 13 points at one stage. The Bulls’ three-point shooting has been inconsistent throughout the season, evidenced by their 13-for-49 performance behind the arc, but they seemed to find their rhythm at the right time.
For the Raptors, the defeat highlights struggles common throughout their season. The team featured promising young talent but has often underperformed, especially when it counts. Coach Darko Rajakovic voiced frustrations about missed opportunities and the need for greater composure from his squad.
"We had our chances to win the game, and we just didn’t execute like we needed to down the stretch," Rajakovic said. "It’s disappointing, but we’ll learn from this and hopefully improve to finish the season strong." With these sentiments echoing across the locker room, the Raptors have their work cut out for them as they seek to turn their season around.
Following this latest defeat, the Raptors will face the Orlando Magic on Sunday, trying to regroup and find ways to rekindle their earlier spirit. For the Bulls, the next match is against the Indiana Pacers, where they will aim to build momentum after this thrilling overtime win.
Despite the overall challenges both teams face, the determination displayed during the significant moments of Friday night’s game makes clear just how competitive the league can be. Chicago remains focused on their playoff aspirations, capitalizing on every opportunity available to them.
With teams pressed for time as the regular season begins winding down, every game could meaningfully impact playoff standings, and both franchises are aware of the stakes as each game passes.