Bulls comeback then lose in final seconds

After being down by eight with under two minutes to go in the game, the Chicago Bulls took the lead and then lost two free throws later by a score of 112-111 to the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors led for most of the game and after Andrea Bargnani made both free throws to give Toronto a 110-98 lead with 4:04 to go, it seemed like the Bulls were on their way to a loss. However after getting within eight points, Chris Duhon hit two three pointers and Toronto's lead was down to two with 35 seconds left. The Bulls got the ball back when Toronto threw the ball out of bounds. With 21 seconds left, Ben Gordon drove to the lane, got fouled, and made the basket to tie the game at 110. Gordon would make the free throw giving the Bulls a one point lead. With 9 seconds left, T.J. Ford's shot was blocked by Tyrus Thomas. However, Chris Bosh of the Raptors came down with the rebound and was fouled by Thomas. Bosh made both free throws and Toronto went up 112-111. The Bulls had only 2.1 seconds left to try to win the game. The ball was inbounded to Gordon whose mid-range jumper at the buzzer fell short of the rim. Bosh led the Raptors with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Deng scored 30 points for the Bulls.

Here quotes after the game provided by http://www.bulls.com:

Quoting Bulls Head Coach Scott Skiles

“We were almost able to steal it. We just did not have enough at the end. They probably deserved to win. They outplayed us for 40 minutes. I thought we came out in the second half with a lot more energy and got back in the game. We just could not get over the hump. We got it close and they took it back up to five or eight. Not until the very end were we able to get it close. We fouled, they made two free throws and we missed the last shot."

On Gordon’s shot to win it, was there contact?

"A little bit, but not enough to call it there."

There was good ball movement early, but it looked like you were a step slow:

"We were more than a step slow. Their bigs are like ours. Bargnani is like a guard. He is very skilled. Garbajosa is skilled and so is Bosh. They can put the ball on the floor and shoot threes. We tried multiple pick and rolls coverages but we couldn't stop them. Not until we went with the zone late with the small line-up did we have any success at all."

On using 11 guys in the first quarter:

"It was clear from the first four or five possessions that we were a step slow. It is understandable. I'm not mad at anybody at that point. I'm just trying to find something to get going. We need to get a lift off our bench. We are not getting enough energy and the kind of play off our bench. It hurts that we do not have Chapu (Nocioni) coming in and we are not getting enough off the bench except Chris Duhon."

Is it a challenge to go with the small line-up?

"In the last two years it is something we have had to go to. We were hoping early in the season that it was not something we would have to go to. So many teams play small now. Our turnovers and ballhandling have been questionable lately so we like the three guards out there."

On the Tyrus block at the end and the defensive effort:

"We needed to get over quicker but I can't fault the effort of our guys in the last three minutes of the game. I like the fact that the call was made if it was a foul. There are too many times that the guys hold the whistle at that time of the game. The problem is that I don't know the secret of getting the call. Tonight they got it and I like that generally. I like if a guy shoots it with a second on the clock and he gets the foul call. I think it is inconsistent sometimes."

Quoting Bulls Guard Chris Duhon

"It was tough to come all the way back at the end and even get the lead. We just couldn't get the right play at the end. We got in late last night. Even with the day off, you still feel the effects of different time zones. With us knowing we have to leave right after and go right back on the road, that can be mentally tiring as well. We played pretty well tonight, we played well enough to win. We just didn't win."

Quoting Bulls Guard Ben Gordon

"We really didn't take control of the game like we should have in the first half. To get so close and lose, I'm a little disappointed."

Was there contact on your final shot?

"Absolutely. But we didn't get the call. I don't know why. I thought they got a lucky one at the other end. That's just how the game went."

Quoting Raptors Head Coach Sam Mitchell

"The Bulls are a good basketball team. They played hard. We had the lead with two minutes to go, up by ten, and they made shots and kept getting extra shots. I kept telling my team they are not going away."

What's different about this year's Raptors team?

"We're a better basketball team. I think the record says that. We have a lot of guys who can make plays. T.J. has won some games down the stretch, Garbo (Garbajosa), Bosh, Andrea, all the guys. We're just a better basketball team. Rasho and Jose had good games, we're just a better basketball team."

Quoting Raptors Guard Anthony Parker

Late in the game, how would you have played this any differently?

"I had a decent look in the corner, Mo (Peterson) had a decent look in the corner - if one of those three's goes in, that's the icing on the cake. So I don't know if I would change anything except, of course, the turnover. I just lost the ball. It came at a funny angle and I just lost the ball. I think we played decent defense. They hit some tough shots, that's why they're a good team. To come into Chicago, on their home court after the streak they've had, is a great feeling."