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Game Rap: Raptors 103 Bulls 116

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

It was over when... the Chicago Bulls went on a 10-2 run to take an eight-point lead with 2:29 remaining to punctuate a disastrous fourth quarter for the Raptors.

Turning Point: After leading throughout the first three quarters, the Raptors were outscored 39-21 in the fourth quarter. Toronto shot 47 per cent for the game, but just 33 per cent in the final frame. In comparison, Chicago shot 61 per cent in the game and a ridiculous 75 per cent in the fourth.

Playoff Spot Clinched: Despite the loss, the Raptors locked up a playoff spot thanks to losses from the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets. Toronto will clinch the Atlantic Division title with their next victory or the next Boston loss.

Lowry Out: After re-injuring his back against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, Kyle Lowry did not play against the Bulls. Speaking with media Tuesday night in Detroit, Lowry said he would be taking his time returning to ensure he did not aggravate the injury again.

Raptors Player of the Game: Greivis Vasquez led the Raptors with 22 points on Wednesday night. Vasquez started the game in place of Lowry and tied a career-high with six made 3-pointers on eight attempts. 

Underrated Raptor: Terrence Ross scored 16 points on 7-for-11 field goals in 37 minutes of action. The third-year swingman continued his recent trend of mixing up his offence and scoring more in the paint.

"I'm trying to put more pressure on the defence, not settle so much and beat them off the dribble," Ross said post-game.

That’s A Rap…

“In the win-loss column, it’s an “L.” We competed for three quarters. If a team shoots 61 per cent, 52 per cent from the three and scores 116 points, there isn’t a lot of defence being played. They’re not chopped liver either, they’re going to be one of the top three teams in our conference and that’s our measuring stick.” - Raptors head coach Dwane Casey when asked if he liked the way his team fought against the Bulls

By The Numbers

52 - Per cent shooting from three for the Bulls, including four made threes in six attempts in the fourth quarter where Chicago made 15 of their 20 field goal attempts.

6 - In comparison, the Raptors made just six field goals in the final quarter on 18 attempts.

0 - Assists for the Raptors in the fourth quarter. 

4 - Toronto had just seven team turnovers in the game, but four came in that brutal fourth quarter as the Bulls took the momentum and pulled away.

They Said It…

“We have to understand that we are playing against teams like Chicago. They are going to execute and run their bread and butter plays at the end of the game. We have to understand that they will pick it up offensively and that’s when we have to pick it up defensively and try to stop them to five ourselves a chance to win.” - DeMar DeRozan on what to take from the final five minutes of the game

“Just had too many mental errors. It’s caught up to us and we paid for it. We kind of took a couple of plays off and that really hurt us. We are trying to get back on track and play our style of basketball.” - Ross on the second half

“You have to move on offend with force and compete with force on the offensive and we didn’t do that down the stretch. I thought the ball movement stopped. Not only in the fourth, but the entire second half.” - Casey on the team’s offensive woes in the fourth

 Up Next: The Los Angeles Lakers will be in town to take on the Raptors at 7:30 PM ET on Friday night at Air Canada Centre.