CHICAGO -- Waived by the Raptors early this season, point guard D.J. Augustin made a triumphant return to Toronto Wednesday night by scoring 19 points to help the Chicago Bulls beat his former team, 94-92, at the Air Canada Centre.
Augustin drained 7-of-15 field goals and 4-of-5 threes. His 13-point fourth quarter effort staved off the Raptors, who came back from 15 points down and crept to within 93-92 in the end game.
The Bulls, who improved to 28-25, also got a big lift from power forward Carlos Boozer's 20 points and eight rebounds while Kirk Hinrich added 19. Jimmy Butler played a game-high 46 minutes and chipped in 16 and six boards.
Bulls reserve Taj Gibson fouled out with 10 markers.
Fresh from another All-Star appearance in New Orleans, center Joakim Noah whipped eight points and 13 assists.
"It was a playoff atmosphere because it was definitely a physical game, high-intensity. Everybody knows what we're playing for," Noah said as the Bulls closed in on the 29-25 Raptors for the third playoffs seed in the Eastern Conference.
DeMar DeRozan led Toronto with 32 points and Kyle Lowry added 16 but no other Raptor scored in double figures. The Raptors made only 35-of-83 field goals and 3-of-17 threes. (Homer D. Sayson)
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