Bulls at Magic final score: Chicago wins 128-125 in 3OT
The Chicago Bulls used a fourth quarter rally to tie the game and eventually defeat the Orlando Magic in triple overtime 128-125 Wednesday night at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
Joakim Noah led the way with 26 points, 19 rebounds and six assists. Carlos Boozer scored 23 points, Jimmy Butler scored 21, D.J. Augustin added 19 points and nine assists and rookie Tony Snell scored 15 points and hit several big shots, including the game-winner.
Rookie Victor Oladipo scored a career-high 35 points to go with eight assists, four rebounds and three steals. Jameer Nelson had a season-high 31 points and 10 assists, Tobias Harris scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while Glen Davis had 17 points and nine rebounds.
After the Bulls took a six-point lead into the second quarter, the Magic exploded for 60 points (and held the Bulls to 47) over the second and third quarters to take a seven-point lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulls went on an 8-0 run to cut a nine-point lead to one and eventually took the lead with 7:16 to play. They pushed the lead to 98-95, but a Nelson layup cut the lead to one with 1:52 to play. After a stop, Oladipo lost the ball out of bounds. D.J. Augustin’s three pushed the lead to four, but a Tobias Harris put back cut it back to 101-99. After another stop, the Magic called timeout with 17.5 seconds to play. The Magic got the ball to Nelson, who used a screen to get a switch from Kirk Hinrich to Noah. He got separation and tied the game. On the other end, Glen Davis forced a jump ball and the game went to overtime.
In overtime, the Magic built 111-108 lead, but Nelson couldn’t put the game away, missing a 13-footer. The Bulls called timeout with 15.3 seconds to go. The Bulls got the ball into Dunleavy, who buried a three to tie the game. Nelson hit a three, but it came after the buzzer.
The Bulls took a four-point lead in double overtime, but a Nelson three cut the lead to one. After a Noah put back, Davis missed a three-pointer, but got another shot on the next possession and drilled it. Dunleavy missed at the buzzer and the game went to triple overtime.
The Bulls took an early 122-119 lead in triple overtime, but the Magic scored the next six points. A Noah layup cut the lead to one and Snell hit another huge bucket to give the Bulls the lead for good. After a stop, the Magic raced down the court and Nelson hit Davis, who tossed up another three that was blocked. Butler hit two free throws on the other end and the Magic’s prayer was blocked.
The Bulls are now 18-19 and the Magic, who have lost nine games in a row, are 10-29.