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Raptors continue struggles against Bulls, winless since 2013

Xinhua, March 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Toronto Raptors lost their ninth straight regular season game against Chicago Bulls on Monday evening's 109-107 NBA game.

Having lost the first three games of the season to Chicago, Toronto was hoping to avoid a season sweep for a second straight season.

"Every time we've played (Chicago), someone's come in and had an out of body experience," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey prior to the game. "They have a very talented team, a very talented roster, and it seems like against us they figure it out."

Entering the game, the odds seemed to be in Toronto's favor, as former All-Stars Derrick Rose (groin), Pau Gasol (knee) and Joakim Noah (shoulder) were all sidelined. Starter Mike Dunleavy was also out with a virus.

Raptors All-Star Kyle Lowry scored the first basket to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. This would turn out to be Raptors' only lead of the game.

The injury-riddled Bulls took over with a 34-point first quarter, leading to a 58-52 lead at the half. Reserve Doug McDermott's 24 points at the half and finished with a team-high 29 points, one shy of his career-high.

"They have good players and are comfortable playing against us, we don't do anything to make them uncomfortable on defence," said Lowry, who scored a game-high 33 points. "Tonight they played a great game and everybody stepped up. They all stepped up for their injured players."

With the loss, Toronto drops to 44-21 on the season and fall to 26-8 at home. The loss was only Toronto's third at Air Canada Centre in 21 games since Dec. 22. The two other losses were against Rockets on Mar. 6 and Bulls on Jan. 3.

Toronto's last win against Chicago was Dec. 31, 2013 in an 85-79 victory at home. Chicago leads the all-time series 46-32 against Toronto. Endit