I purchased tickets for Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors for my cousin and myself not knowing they were celebrating 90s Night. It was refreshing for someone who grew up in the decade to hear a bunch of its songs and watch videos of players choose between certain fads (Rugrats or Doug, PlayStation or N64, etc.). C+C Music Factory gave a killer halftime show by belting out Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll) and Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now). It was all punctuated by a 116-106 Bulls win, ending their five-game losing streak and my personal two-game skid.
The Bulls trailed by as much as 13 in the first half, so it looked like more of the same old poor play of late was in order. But four Bobby Portis points in the final 13 seconds before the break brought the team within six and signaled a changing of the guard was coming. That change indeed happened as the Bulls outscored the Raptors 37-23 in the third quarter, playing with energy and quality they hadn't shown in weeks. They held off a late Toronto push to remain undefeated against the Atlantic leader for the year.
What to say except Doug McDermott? In a display I envisioned when the Bulls acquired him on draft day, he scored a career-high 30 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point land. On 90s Night, he appropriately became the first Bull born in that decade to reach the 30-point mark in a game. The team and its fans have been waiting for him to blossom into a solid NBA player and this might be just what he needs to kick-start the legitimate portion of his professional career.
Derrick Rose added to his constantly improving season with 26 points and plays in which he dared the Raptors to beat him on the drive. This is the Rose we've been waiting to return and it's amazing to see he can still pack that punch when you're watching him with your own eyes. Pau Gasol nearly achieved a triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. He's certainly giving Gar Forman and John Paxson (who was booed during the 90s legends tribute after the first quarter) reason to keep him around.
The Bulls needed to stop the bleeding badly and Toronto was just what the doctor ordered. They have now won eight straight in the series going back to 2013, which is encouraging when thinking about a potential playoff match-up. Everything needed to succeed in an NBA game is there for the Bulls during these meetings. Imagine what could happen if they played with the same fluidity against every team.
Their next game on Sunday will be a bittersweet one as Kobe Bryant enters the United Center as a Los Angeles Laker for the last time. A future Hall of Famer who was once rumored to be part of a trade to the West Side is sure to give Chicago a proper sendoff by playing as well as his body will still let him. Maybe 90s Benny can make an appearance to show how long he's been coming here. After all, a cameo like tonight's just isn't enough (look closely, smack dab in the middle):
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