TORONTO — For the first time in too long, Lonzo Ball called game on Monday night. The Chicago Bulls needed a basket. Their 16-point lead had dwindled to three points with 68 seconds left to play as the Toronto Raptors launched a sloppy, desperate comeback. The options weren’t ideal. Nikola Vučević was knocked to the ground as he attempted to post up. Coby White had pulled back from the 3-point arc as his defender shaded out to him. So Ball took the matter into his own hands, pulling up over Gradey Dick to sink a 3-pointer and send the Bulls up by six points for the final minute of regulation. The Raptors had a few more punches to throw and the Bulls landed counters of their own. But that 3-pointer — Ball’s second of the game — effectively ended the final push from the Raptors as the Bulls squeaked out of Toronto with a 122-121 win. Ball isn’t fully right. Pain lingers in his shooting arm from a sprained right wrist that held him out of 15 games this season. Ball would like to say it’s getting better every day, but the injury is reaggravated by knocking into opponents or catching himself on an awkward fall in almost every game. And this discomfort affects his shot — particularly his follow-through, which lacks the typical snap that helps to guide the ball into the basket. Ball is 10-for-30 from behind the arc since he sprained that wrist. He missed his first five attempts from 3-point range in Toronto, every shot feeling a little undercooked and fading to the right. It was a source of frustration. But when it came time to ice the game, Ball’s confidence didn’t waver. “It’s a blessing, to be honest,” Ball said. “For two years I’ve been on the couch watching this kind of game. So for me to be out there and helping the team win, it’s a blessing.” Of course, Ball didn’t need to score a single bucket to make a profound impact in Monday’s game. He slung seven assists and recorded a block and a steal, elevating his teammates through his facilitation on the ball and his movement off it. That final 3-pointer, however, proved that Ball isn’t just recovering — he’s returning to the best version of himself. It wasn’t an ideal night for the Bulls. Coby White (19 points) continued to struggle to produce his typical scoring. Patrick Williams faded after a promising first quarter in his first start since November. Zach LaVine sat out with back spasms and Josh Giddey exited in the third quarter with an ankle injury. But returning Ball to his role as a clutch time player was victory enough for the Bulls, who improved to 12-15 as they prepare to face the Boston Celtics in a home-and-away series later this week. Here are four takeaways from the win: 1. The Bulls offense stayed on theme. Chicago Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu protects the ball from Toronto Raptors’ Davion Mitchell, right, in Toronto, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) This new version of the Bulls offense is here to stay. It evolved quickly this season from a concept to an identity. And Monday’s win over the Raptors showcased that regardless of the players on the court, the Bulls have firmly established their offensive ethos this season. Monday marked the 27th game in a row in which the Bulls made at least 10 baskets from behind the 3-point arc, a momentous shift for a team that averaged only 32.1 attempts from 3-point range just last season. This is the longest streak of 10 or more 3-pointers in Bulls history — and the longest active streak in the NBA tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls also tallied 33 assists in their 21st consecutive game with 25 or more assists, a streak dating back to the start of November. 2. Nikola Vučević landed right back in rhythm. After missing one game due to illness, center Nikola Vučević slipped right back into his previous rhythm as a leading scorer for the Bulls. Vučević tallied a team-high 24 points while shooting 2-for-4 from behind the arc. The early quarter of Vučević’s season was dominated by the 3-point arc. But opponents are beginning to adjust to that strength, running Vučević off the line and forcing him out of the pocket to limit his long-range opportunities. The Bulls were aware of that before Monday’s game, shifting their approach to begin seeking the center inside the arc — especially with his back to the basket — more often. Although Vučević struggled to finish some of these opportunities in Toronto, his final basket — a hook shot off a post-up with 14 seconds remaining — showcased how returning to the restricted area can create much-needed balance in his scoring. 3. Josh Giddey exited with an ankle injury after nearing a triple-double. Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey is helped off the court by medical staff during the second half against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Midway through the third quarter, guard Josh Giddey was on track for one of his best performances of the season. With 11 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Giddey seemed set to record his second triple-double of the season. His shot was falling consistently (3-for-4 from the floor) and his ball movement was helping the Bulls set a steady pace to chip away at the Toronto defense. Related Articles Chicago Bulls | Highland Park home once owned by former Bulls star Scottie Pippen sells for $2.3M Chicago Bulls | Julian Phillips has found his niche on the Chicago Bulls roster. Can he transform that into a larger role? Chicago Bulls | 5 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ sloppy win over the Charlotte Hornets, including a warm homecoming for Taj Gibson Chicago Bulls | Photos: Chicago Bulls 109, Charlotte Hornets 95 Chicago Bulls | Does the NBA Cup need star power or does Las Vegas sell itself? But that run was cut short with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter when Giddey made a reckless challenge on a 3-pointer by Dick, tumbling into the forward and twisting his right ankle. That’s the same ankle in which he suffered a ruptured ligament during the Olympics, which kept Giddey from participating in most of the Bulls’ preseason activities in September. After the game, head coach Billy Donovan said the medical team had not updated him on the grade or degree of the sprain. 4. Talen Horton-Tucker threw it down in reverse. When injuries shorten the rotation, the Bulls have consistently turned to Talen Horton-Tucker, who anchored the bench unit with 15 points on Monday. Horton-Tucker struggled from deep — going 1-for-6 from behind the arc — but his finishing at the rim was crucial for a limited Bulls lineup. This was highlighted in the first half when Horton-Tucker got out in transition with Ball, elevating to throw down a reverse dunk when the guard lobbed him the ball. “I did not think he was going to reverse it,” Ball said with a laugh. “He made it look really easy, though.” The bench balanced out scoring for the Bulls in the win — Jalen Smith and Julian Phillips tallied 10 points apiece and Buzelis added seven points.