Morning Box Score: Raptors Spoil Noah's Return

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 24, 2011 3:30PM

For the first time since early December, the Bulls were at full strength last night with the return of Joakim Noah from thumb surgery. Noah wasted no time returning to the court, grabbing 10 rebounds in the first 8 minutes of the game en route to a 16-rebound night. But the Bulls' defense was out of sync with his return and the Toronto Raptors were able to capitalize, earning a 118-113 victory. The Raptors' DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani each scored 24 points to lead Toronto, while Jose Calderon had a game-high 17 assists.

The Bulls had ample opportunities to win the game late. Derrick Rose scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the fourth quarter. But the defensive assignments were blown for most of the game. The Raptors shot 58 percent from the field for the game; 67 percent in the final quarter. That the Bulls even had a chance to win this game with a minute left shows how far the team has come under coach Tom Thibodeau. But defense wins championships and the Bulls need to get untracked quick. the Miami Heat return to the United Center in a nationally televised game (7 p.m., TNT, ESPN-AM 1000). Unlike their January game at the UC, which became a duel between Rose and Dwyane Wade, the Heat will also be at full strength with leBron James expected to suit up.

Note: The Bulls traded forward James Johnson to Toronto on Tuesday. Johnson started last night's game and scored 9 points.