(My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Bulls are showing signs of improvement. It's probably a pretty safe bet that there will be fewer blowout losses this season. One demon the Bulls have failed to exorcise is the Toronto Raptors, who have now beaten Chicago 15 straight times. The most recent chapter in the sad yet predictable story unfolded on Monday night, when the Raptors posted a 109-105 overtime victory despite playing without Vince Carter (quad) and Antonio Davis (rib cage).

Chicago erased an 18-point deficit, but ultimately fell short at Air Canada Centre.

"We didn't get it done early," Jalen Rose said. "I have to point to myself first. I needed a better start to give the team a better chance and put Toronto in a hole."

Coach Bill Cartwright was frustrated by his team's slow start.

"We were not the hunter to start the game, and that is disappointing," Cartwright said.

It is at least promising that Chicago managed to rally from 18 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Rose scored seven of his 24 points in the fourth, including a driving layup with 7.8 seconds left to tie the score at 94.

"Rose made a great play in the middle, and we just didn't get there in time," Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens said. "It would have been bad if we had lost our cool in overtime. We pushed the ball, and our trapping was much better."

Lindsey Hunter nailed the game-winner: a 16-footer with 1.6 seconds left in the extra session. Marshall was fouled with 0.4 seconds left and had a chance to tie the game, but he missed his first free throw, then committed a violation by failing to hit the rim on an intentional miss. Alvin Williams then made two foul shots to account for the final tally.

"Give the Bulls credit for making a terrific comeback," Wilkens said. "I'm just proud of the way we came back after we lost the lead and were able to pull out a game we deserved to win."

In retrospect, this game should have come with a warning label. The Bulls were favored on paper because they fielded a healthy 12, while Toronto was forced to use a short rotation.