Raptors score 7th straight win
CHICAGO — The Toronto Raptors rolled into the All-Star break knowing the toughest part is yet to come. They’ll take where they are at the moment — staring down at the rest of the Eastern Conference.
Kyle Lowry had 20 points and 10 assists, Serge Ibaka also scored 20 points and the Raptors cruised into the break with their seventh straight victory, 122-98 over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
“We just have to keep it going,” coach Dwane Casey said. “We haven’t done anything . . . . It’s even harder from here on out, and that’s why (we’re) not jumping up and down. We have a goal. We haven’t finished it yet.”
Lowry made four 3-pointers, and he and Ibaka both recorded seven rebounds.
Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and nine rebounds to help the Raptors complete a four-game sweep against Chicago, even though they only got seven points from four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
Toronto dished out a season-high 38 assists and shot just over 52 per cent against a weak defence, sending the Bulls to their ninth loss in 11 games.
“We’re heading in the right direction,” DeRozan said. “But at the same time, we still understand how much we need to clean up on the defensive end and the offensive end.
“As long as we keep that mindset. We understand we’re trying to get better,” DeRozan added. “It kind of carries us.”
Bobby Portis scored 18 points for Chicago, and Lauri Markkanen had 14. The Bulls were simply overmatched by the Eastern Conference leaders, even though they had guard Kris Dunn back in the lineup. He finished with eight points and three assists in 20 minutes after missing 11 games because of a concussion.
The Raptors took a 61-49 lead to the locker room after outscoring the Bulls by 18 in the second quarter.
The Raptors host Milwaukee on Feb. 23 following the All-Star break.