Bosh, Raptors escape Chicago with win

Feb 14, 2007, 4:35 GMT

Chicago, IL - Chris Bosh hit a pair of free throws with two seconds remaining, as the Toronto Raptors coughed up 12-point lead in the closing minutes but managed to salvage a 112-111 win over Chicago at the United Center.

Bosh ended with 25 points and 14 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani donated 22 points off the bench for the Raptors, who snapped a 15-game losing streak versus the Bulls.

Luol Deng netted a game-best 30 points and Ben Gordon had 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Chicago, which has dropped four of five.

The Raptors appeared poised to cruise to the finish line, owning a 110-98 advantage with just over four minutes to play after a pair of Bargnani free throws.

Chicago ripped off the next 13 points to pull ahead by one. Deng and Gordon each hit a jumper to start the charge, then Chris Duhon hit back-to-back three pointers to cut the deficit to two.

Toronto turned the ball over on the other end before Gordon drew contact in the lane, made the layup and the ensuing free throw to give his club a 111-110 edge with 12.8 seconds remaining.

'The Bulls are a good basketball team,' said Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. 'They played hard. We had the lead with two minutes to go, up by ten, and they made shots and kept getting extra shots. I kept telling my team they are not going away.'

T.J. Ford missed a short-range attempt on the Raptors' ensuing possession but Bosh secured the rebound and was fouled on his way back up. He sank both of his shots from the stripe to put the road team back in front.

The Bulls had one last chance to steal the win, but Gordon's desperation shot was off the mark as time expired.

'We were almost able to steal it,' said Bulls coach Scott Skiles. 'We just did not have enough at the end. They probably deserved to win. They outplayed us for 40 minutes.'

Toronto sprinted out to a 33-26 first-quarter lead and owned a 56-51 halftime edge behind 17 points from Bargnani. The margin remained at five points after three quarters of play, but Toronto used an 11-5 spurt early in the fourth to build a double-digit lead.

Game Notes

The last time Toronto knocked off Chicago was December 6, 2002.

The Raptors improved to just 10-17 on the road.

The Bulls are 21-6 at home this season.

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