Raptors eliminate Bulls from contention

In a decisive NBA In-Season Tournament matchup on Friday night, Anunoby showcased his skills by equaling his season-best performance with an impressive 26 points. Pascal Siakam contributed 18 points, propelling the Toronto Raptors to a 121-108 victory over the struggling Chicago Bulls, who were officially eliminated from contention.

The Raptors, previously ousted from tournament contention due to Orlando's victory over Boston earlier that day, ended with a 1-2 record in the competition. On the other hand, Chicago's woes continued as they dropped to 0-3, marking their third consecutive loss and sixth defeat in the last seven games.

Dennis Schroder played a pivotal role in Toronto's well-rounded offensive effort, notching 17 points. Other notable contributions came from Gary Trent Jr. (16 points), Jakob Poeltl (15 points, 10 rebounds), and Scottie Barnes (13 points, 10 rebounds). Anunoby's consistent scoring proved crucial, as the Raptors now boast a perfect 4-0 record this season when he scores 20 or more points.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with an impressive 36-point performance, making 16 of 23 attempts. However, it wasn't enough to secure a victory. Chicago faced additional setbacks as Alex Caruso left the game in the third quarter and did not return due to a foot injury.

DeMar DeRozan, expressing frustration after the game, contributed 19 points for the Bulls but was ejected in the final seconds for receiving his second technical foul. The ejection stemmed from his displeasure with Siakam attempting a shot when the outcome was already decided. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic later clarified that he was unaware of his team's elimination from the tournament at the time.

Siakam showcased his versatility by not only scoring but also matching a season-high eight assists. Toronto finished the game with 32 assists, extending their team-record streak of games with 25 or more assists to 12.

Looking ahead, the Bulls face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, while the Raptors hit the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in their next matchup.