CHICAGO -- Whatever momentum the Chicago Bulls got by beating the New York Knicks Thursday night at the United Center vanished into thin air Friday night in Canada.
Shooting just 34 of 77 from the field and mired with 16 turnovers, the Bulls lost to the Toronto Raptors, 97-88. The loss dropped the 43-36 Bulls to No.6 in the Eastern Conference standings, one-half game behind the 44-36 Atlanta Hawks, who climbed to the No.5 spot after beating the Milwaukee Bucks also on Friday night at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.
With three games left in the schedule, the Bulls can no longer catch the 47-32 Brooklyn Nets in the race for the No.5 seed, which means the Bulls will open the NBA playoffs on the road.
Amir Johnson led the Raptors with 24 points and nine rebounds while Rudy Gay added 23 and five steals. DeMar DeRozan chipped in 19 as the Raptors converted 34 of 72 field goals for a high 47.2 percent.
The Bulls got 19 points and 12 rebounds from power forward Carlos Boozer. Nate Robinson drilled 17 and veteran center Nazr Mohammad finished with 16 and 13 rebounds. Chicago played without starters Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis) and Derrick Rose (ACL rehab). (AG)
Photo: Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Bulls' loss to the Raptors.
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