Jalen Suggs’ 3-pointer with five seconds remaining lifted the visiting Orlando Magic past the Chicago Bulls, 108-107, after nearly squandering a 19-point lead in the second half on Friday.
Coming into Chicago on a two-game skid, the Magic led almost wire-to-wire save a 16-14 Bulls lead in the first quarter and in the final 40 seconds.
After leading 80-61 with less than five minutes left in the third quarter, Orlando was outscored 46-23 over a stretch lasting until 26.5 seconds remained in the game.
DeMar DeRozan scored 11 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter, the last two of which came on a game-tying jump shot with 1:06 left in regulation. Javonte Green then added a pair of baskets at the rim, and the Bulls looked to be on the verge of snapping a three-game losing streak.
But Suggs scored the game’s final five points, part of his 20 for the night, starting with a pair of free throws after drawing a foul on a put-back attempt.
Orlando then put former Magic center Nikola Vucevic at the foul line. His two missed free throws with 12.2 seconds left set the stage for the decisive sequence.
Wendell Carter Jr. deflected the second missed foul shot’s carom to Chuma Okeke for the last of Okeke’s seven rebounds. He threw the outlet pass to Suggs, who feinted a drive toward the line, stepped back beyond the arc and connected on the winning shot under duress.
Suggs matched Franz Wagner, who posted 20 points before fouling out down the stretch. Suggs and Wagner both also dished eight assists.
Carter led the Magic with 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Bol Bol finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Vucevic finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds and dished seven assists. He was 4-for-4 at the free-throw line prior to his final two misses. DeRozan scored his 41 points on 16-for-30 shooting from the floor.
–Field Level Media
