McDermott's Career Night Snaps Bulls Losing Streak

It was the dynamic duo of Derrick Rose and Doug McDermott that snapped the Chicago Bulls 5-game losing streak Friday night as they defeated the Toronto Raptors for the eighth straight time, 116-106. Yes, you read that right. Rose and McDermott combined for 56 points on 25-37 shooting.

Who needs Jimmy Butler?!

The game started with a slow pace, and hardly any energy from either team, with the United Center apparently napping after a long work week. Rose started off strong with nine quick points, but Toronto's All Star duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan warmed up as the Raptors ended the opening period on a 24-10 run to take a 35-24 lead. The first quarter featured Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas attacking Pau Gasol at will. Meanwhile, the Bulls trotted out a lineup consisting of Aaron Brooks, Tony Snell, Doug McDermott, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio. Needless to say, it looked as if it would be another defeat for Chicago.

As the second quarter came and went, it was much of the same as the Raptors continued to push the lead. After a strong start to the game, Rose went 0-4 from the field, with only one point coming at the free throw line. Valanciunas continued to go at Gasol during the period, and Taj Gibson was essentially a non-factor throughout. With the quarter nearing its end, the Bulls received some fairly solid minutes from Felicio and Portis, as their energy and dirty work off the bench kept Chicago within grasp. A three from Portis, followed by a fast-break buzzer beating dunk from him as well, cut the Bulls deficit to six entering halftime.

With the third period underway, the Raptors stretched the lead to 13, and it seemed as though they were ready to put the final nail in the coffin, so to speak. However, throughout the next several minutes, both teams exchanged small runs back and forth. But the turning point came once McDermott re-entered the game, along with Portis, as the Bulls proceeded to go on a 20-4 run at one point to take a 78-73 lead. The energy the bench brought, specifically McDermott, Portis and Felicio was tremendous. Rose going 5-7 from the field for 10 points in the quarter, was complimented by McDermott's strong play. In the quarter, the Bulls outscored the Raptors 37-23 to take a 89-81 lead into the fourth.

Chicago would push the lead up to 13, before the Raptors would make their own patented run, getting the lead down to as low as two at one point. Though again, it was McDermott's career night that kept the Bulls ahead. Tonight was by far the best game of Doug's short career, as he was doing a great job cutting without the ball, moving off-ball, and setting himself up for open looks. I'm not sure you could've asked him to play a better game. And Rose capped things off in the fourth with a slew of clutch baskets down the stretch to give the Bulls the win. Rose finished with 26 points on 12-20 shooting to go with six assists. McDermott on the other hand, finished with a career high 30 points, 20 in the second half alone, on 13-17 shooting, 4-5 from deep.

Fred Hoiberg said he has talks with Doug McDermott and Aaron Brooks today, telling Brooks about pace and reaffirming confidence in McDermott

— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) February 19, 2016

The Bulls finished with 32 assists on 48 made shots, their Assist:TO ratio was 32:9, superb. For a team that's been struggling as much as they have the past month and a half, it was nice to see them come together in the second half tonight and beat a quality team in the Toronto Raptors. Nevertheless, this one win doesn't change things altogether, as Chicago is still dealing with a myriad of injuries and only two games above .500.

Chicago takes the floor Sunday night against the Lakers, in Kobe Bryant's final appearance at the United Center.