FINAL FROM THE UNITED CENTER: Raptors 108 Bulls 84.
LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: Carter Jr. - 12 points. Raptors: Siakam - 19 points
LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Carter Jr. - 11. Raptors: Gasol - 10
LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: Arcidiacono, LaVine and Satoransky each with 4. Raptors: Lowry - 8.
CCI RECAP: It was a low scoring half for both teams as Toronto led 48-40 at the break but a huge 36-point third quarter derailed the Bulls from making this a game. The Bulls really struggled offensively. Give credit to Toronto's defense along with the Bulls inability of hitting open shots. The Raps have won ten straight games in the series.
CCI STAT OF THE NIGHT: Fast break points: Toronto 25-7.
CCI IN THE LOCKER ROOM:
Coach Boylen: "We have to learn that when the ball's not going in, we still have to guard. And when the ball's not going in, we have to move it more, not less. We will work on it. We will continue to grow."
UP NEXT: AT New York Monday.
CCI 24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES:
Miami 131, MIlwaukee 126: The Bucks blew a 21 point third quarter lead. One of CCI's favorite "under the radar" players, Bam Adebayo had 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Cleveland 110, Indiana 99: The Pacers are 0-2. John Beilein picked up his first win as an NBA head coach and got doused with water in the locker room. Tristan Thompson scored 25 points and made his first ever three point basket in 11 attempts.
Boston 118, New York 95: Kemba Walker with 32 for the Celtics. He drained 7 three-point baskets. Rookie RJ Barrett scored 26 points for New York. The Knicks start the season 0-3.
Philadelphia 117, Detroit 111: No Joel Embiid for the 76ers. No Blake Griffin for the Pistons. Tobias Harris and Al Horford combined for 52 points. Derrick Rose scored 31 points in 27 minutes for the Pistons.
Atlanta 103, Orlando 99: Trae Young, fresh off an outstanding rookie season scored Atlanta's last eight points en route to a 39-point performance. Young had 38 points in the Hawks opener against Detroit.
Houston 126, New Orleans 123: The Pelicans are 0-3. Russell Westbrook posted his second straight triple double of 28-13-10. Westbrook passed Magic Johnson for second most triple-doubles in NBA history. The Pelicans Jrue Holiday missed the game with a left knee sprain.
San Antonio 124, Washington 122: DeMar DeRozan with an "onions" hoop in the final seconds. Former Spur, Davis Bertrand drained five three-point buckets and scored 23 for the pesky Wizards.
Utah 113, Sacramento 81: Bojan Bogdanovic notched 26 points for the Jazz. Terrific pick up by Utah in the off season. The Kings are 0-3.
Phoenix 130, Los Angeles Clippers 122: Deandre Ayton is gone for 25 games but the Suns have Devin Booker who registered 30. It was the Suns first win in the series in more than three years.
One final CCI thought.
Many thanks to one of our outstanding digital and social media members as "Sam" departs to join the tennis circuit. Thank you all of your contributions to the Bulls and we wish you all the success in the world.
Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out: cswirsky@bulls.com or Twitter @ctsbulls
Always a pleasure.