The Toronto Raptors advanced to 36-14 on the season with a 27-point win over the Chicago Bulls.
Undrafted rookie Terence Davis led the way with an efficient 31 points as seven Raptors finished the game in double figures.
Here are some thoughts on the game.
1. A historic mark
It has now been three weeks since the Raptors have lost a basketball game.
This win marks an 11-game win streak, tying a franchise-best mark that has been set twice, most recently in the 2017-18 season.
2. Terence Davis makes a statement
Was he snubbed from the Rising Stars Challenge?
After the rosters were announced for this year's game, Davis took to Twitter, reminding everyone of the chip on his shoulder and that he'd #MakeEmBelieve.
He did just that in this game, setting a new career-high with 31 points (on 12-15 FG) and four rebounds in 28 minutes of action, becoming just the sixth Raptor rookie to score 30 or more points in a game and the first since Norman Powell on Apr. 13, 2016.
3. Streaks, streaks, streaks
The 11-game streak isn't the only one extended today. Let's take an inventory:
- Three-straight losses for Chicago
- 12 straight Raptors wins over the Bulls
- A third-straight season sweep of Chicago
That the Raptors earned a season sweep over a lesser opponent in the Bulls adds to their trend in taking care of business against teams with records below .500. Toronto is now 29-2 against teams with losing records this season.
4. A tale of two halves
The Toronto Raptors entered the halftime break trailing 63-60.
The second half was a different story.
Toronto ramped it up on the defensive end in the final 24 minutes, holding Chicago to just 39 points on 14-for-45 (31.1% shooting). The Raptors, on the other hand, kicked into another gear, scoring 69 second-half points on 25-for-42 (59.5% shooting).
If you're keeping track, Toronto outscored Chicago 69-39 in the second half. That's good. That's really good.
5. Stepping up
With Norman Powell (finger) and Marc Gasol (hamstring) set to miss extended time, the Raptors are again forced to adopt a next-man-up mentality.
Who would that be?
In addition to Davis, Patrick McCaw (10 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST) and Matt Thomas (7 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB) made up for the perimeter production that would have been provided by Powell – the three combined to finish with 42 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
On the interior, Serge Ibaka (16 PTS, 6 REB, 3 BLK) and Chris Boucher (15 PTS, 5 REB) did plenty to make up for Gasol's absence as they combined to finish with 31 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
6. Keeping LaVine in check
Zach LaVine scored 20 or more points in every single game in the month of January.
He entered this game having done so 17 times in a row.
Chicago's prolific guard was limited to just 18 points (on 6-for-10 shooting) in this one, though he did make his presence felt elsewhere as he pulled down seven boards, dished out seven assists and grabbed three steals.
Still, limiting LaVine's offensive output is an excellent gameplan to get past the Bulls.
7. There was no shortage of highlights
From Boucher's big dunk…
BONJOURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR 😤 pic.twitter.com/TsJDSzEOkX
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 2, 2020
…to Patrick McCaw's move in the open floor…
FROZE 'EM pic.twitter.com/iec2tRV7F0
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 2, 2020
…and Fred VanVleets ankle-breaker
ANKLES SNATCHED pic.twitter.com/y0oCM7tQW7
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 2, 2020
8. What's next?
The Raptors are coming up on a big week that begins with a home-and-home with the Pacers (Wednesday in Toronto, Friday in Indiana). On Saturday, they'll play the second end of a back-to-back as they return home to host the Nets.
Each of these teams represents a potential playoff pairing for Toronto.
The Bulls have some time off before they're back in action when they host Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
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