Calderon Leads Way As Raptors Devour Bulls 93-78

Jose Calderon filling in for injured Toronto Raptors point guard T.J. Ford, did just fine Sunday as he led Toronto to a 93-78 win over the Chicago Bulls. Calderon led the team scoring 19 points, a game high 14 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. Calderon who usually comes off the bench for the Raptors was substituting for Ford, due to the starter having a sore left arm.

Toronto’s starting forward tandem of Chris Bosh, and Jamario Moon were major contributors to the win as well. Bosh scored 16 points, grabbed a game high 13 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot. Moon, the rookie out of a community college in Mississippi who so far is having a nice season for Toronto, scored 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 blocked shots, and 3?steals!??Carlos Delfino came off the bench scoring 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and?1steal.

Chicago led by 7 points at the end of the first quarter 33-26, but as usual this season they found a way to lose the lead, and then the game.?The Bulls sored just 11 points in the second quarter, and allowed Toronto to go into the half with 50-44 lead. The Bulls then played Toronto even up in?the third quarter, but were outscored again 23-14 in the final quarter. Luol Deng came back to the Chicago lineup after missing the last three games with back problems, and celebrated by leading all scorers with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon had ?their best games in a?while, Gordon scored 17 points, he had 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 blocked shot. Hinrich scored 15, including going 3-4 from outside the arc, he had 7 assists, and 2 rebounds. Andres Nocioni came off the bench scoring 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocked shots and 1 foul.

The only positive that Chicago can take out of this game is that for the first time in along time their three key players. Deng, Gordon, and Hinrich all had good games. This team was looked at as a contender in the Eastern Conference by most observers in the preseason. With a 2-10 record they have turn things around quickly, or changes will be made. General Manager John Paxson is secure, but what about coach Scott Skiles or the players. Yesterday is gone, it’s all about today in the NBA and all pro sports. Toronto with the win pulls back to .500 at 7-7.