MADRID, Spain (AP) — Louis Bullock and Charles Smith combined for 45 points to help Real Madrid rally for a 104-103 win over the Toronto Raptors in a preseason game on Thursday night.
Former Michigan player Bullock hit four free throws in the final nine seconds to finish with a game-high 27 points. Smith, a former player with the Miami Heat and L.A. Clippers, hit some big shots down the stretch.
"It was a nice game for the Spanish public, it was a good show," Bullock said.
Andrea Bargnani, who led Toronto with 23 points, hit a 3-pointer with 24 seconds to play to cut it to one, but Sergio Llull had a steal and made the subsequent free throws for the Spanish champions.
The Raptors wrapped up their European tour with a 1-2 record.
Jose Calderon and Jorge Garbajosa played well for the Raptors in their return to their native Spain, with Garbajosa scoring 15.
"The team has spent time together, I’ve had a chance to show my teammates around … that’s been important. The team won’t be worried about the results of this trip," Calderon said.
Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said that the loss would hopefully serve as a wake-up call for his team.
"We haven’t set our starting rotation yet and we need guys to chip in and do the dirty work," Mitchell said.
A defensive stop by Madrid and a three-pointer from Smith put Madrid up 97-92 with 59 seconds left.
Calderon’s reverse layup gave the Raptors an 82-81 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Smith’s three-pointer gave Madrid a 79-75 lead going into the fourth.
After hitting back-to-back three-pointers to tie it 63-63, Bullock saved a loose ball that found its way to Michalis Pelekanos, who had a three-pointer and layup giving Madrid a five-point lead.
But Garbajosa hit a three-pointer then Caldron’s layup tied it, before Bargnani’s crossover dribble through the lane had the Raptors back ahead 70-68. .
The Raptors were missing all-star forward Chris Bosh, but still got out to a 9-0 lead after T.J. Ford fed Rasho Nesterovic with a no-look pass for the easy dunk to open the game.
Madrid, 3-for-8 from three-point range in the first period, rediscovered its shooting touch in the second quarter, with Bullock’s three-pointer early in the period getting Madrid within 33-29.
Bullock was hitting jumpers from the outside while Blagota Sekulic was strong inside as Madrid cut the advantage to 39-37 midway through the second before going into halftime down 56-54.
