Guard makes 17 of team-record 38 shots
TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors fought and scrapped their way to their first victory over the Chicago Bulls in years. DeMar DeRozan led the way. DeRozan had 42 points, and the Raptors snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Bulls by rallying for a wild 122-120 overtime win on Tuesday night.
“You don’t want to have something lingering like that and go a couple of seasons where you can’t beat a team,” DeRozan said. “When you’re a competitor, just to have that in the back of your mind, it sucks.”
DeRozan set a franchise record with 38 shot attempts, making 17, and also finished with eight assists. Cory Joseph had 19 points for the Raptors, and Serge Ibaka scored 16 before he was ejected for his role in a memorable fight with Robin Lopez during the third quarter.
Jimmy Butler had 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Bulls, and Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 24. It was Chicago’s first loss to Toronto since Dec. 31, 2013.
Following a Butler 3-pointer with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter, giving Chicago a 16-point lead, Lopez swatted the ball out of the hand of Ibaka.
The two squared up in the middle of a crowd and Lopez swung and missed Ibaka, who returned in kind, barely connecting with the head of the center.
Lopez and Ibaka were ejected following a long review period. Chicago forward Nikola Mirotic and Raptors assistant coach Jamaal Magloire received offsetting technical fouls after getting into a shoving match following the melee.
With Lopez throwing the first punch, Ibaka said he was simply trying to defend himself.
“I’m not just going to be out there and watch a man like him punch me and walk away,” he said after his fourth career ejection.
Lopez was ejected for the sixth time in his career. He said he expects to be suspended for the fight.
“I think it was a really physical game, physical game for everybody,” he said. “Just kind of hit the NBA flashpoint.”
The Bulls opened a 109-94 lead on Paul Zipser’s 3-pointer with 6:39 left in the fourth. But the Raptors responded with a 15-0 run, tying the game on Joseph’s layup with 1:50 remaining.
Pelicans 95, Grizzlies 82 — At New Orleans, DeMarcus Cousins enjoyed his most prolific performance yet with New Orleans with 41 points and 17 rebounds, and the Pelicans won for the fifth time in six games. Cousins hit five 3-pointers, tying a career high.
Spurs 100, Timberwolves 93 — At Minneapolis, Kawhi Leonard scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and hit the go-ahead jumper with 54 seconds to play to help San Antonio remain three games behind Golden State for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Clippers 133, Lakers 109 — At Los Angeles, Chris Paul scored 27 points before watching the end of a blowout with his young son on the bench, and the Clippers won for the 17th time in their last 19 meetings against the Lakers.
Heat 112, Suns 97 — At Miami, Hassan Whiteside had 23 points and 14 rebounds before leaving late with blood on his right hand, and Miami handed Phoenix its fifth straight loss. Tyler Johnson scored 17 for the Heat, who had seven players in double figures.
Warriors 112, Mavericks 87 — At Dallas, Klay Thompson had 23 points with five 3-pointers and Golden State earned its 28th road win this season in a matchup of the Curry brothers. Elder brother Stephen Curry had 17 points and nine assists.
Bucks 93,Trail Blazers 90 — At Portland, Ore., Khris Middleton scored 26 points, and Milwaukee won for the ninth time in 11 games. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points for the Bucks, while Damian Lillard led Portland with 31.
Nets 98, Pistons 96 — At New York, Brook Lopez made a jumper as time expired to help Brooklyn hand Detroit its fourth loss in five games. Lopez finished the night with 29 points, while Tobias Harris had 24 for the Pistons.