CHICAGO -- Saddled by injuries and their playoffs hopes suddenly dimming, the Chicago Bulls desperately needed a boost last Friday night when they returned to action after an extended All-Star break.
And that's exactly what they got after sophomore small forward Doug McDermott delivered a big-time performance that helped Chicago overcome the surging Toronto Raptors, 116-106, at the United Center.
McDermott sizzled with 13 of 17 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from long distance. He finished with a game-high 30 points and the Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak.
But with a modest record of 28-26 in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls remain in a tough fight for a playoffs spot as the Detroit Pistons (27-28), Washington Wizards (25-29) and Orlando Magic (24-29) are making a push in the bottom half of this 2015-16 NBA season.
Bulls star Derrick Rose, who had 26 assists and six dimes against the Raptors, is playing at an All-Star level this February. But with the Bulls missing three key players ---- Joakim Noah (shoulder), Jimmy Butler (knee strain) and Nikola Mirotic (appendectomy) --- Chicago needs other players to step up.
Hopefully, the 24-year old Doug continues to answer the bell.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound McDermott was the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He had stellar college career at Creighton University where he averaged 21.7 points and 7.1 rebounds in 145 games.
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