Chicago Bulls lose another heartbreaker to the Orlando Magic

The Bulls can't catch a break these days, losing their third straight game.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls had 33 points in the first half and rallied late behind the play of star guard Zach LaVine, but faltered in the end, no thanks to a clutch shot by an Orlando Magic player. 

If you thought this was a narration of last Wednesday night’s game, you’re sorely mistaken, as this was exactly what happened on Friday night as the Bulls lost to the Magic, 103-97, in an In-Season Tournament game to fall to 0-2 in East Group C.

Chicago has now lost seven of their last nine games, falling to 4-9 for the season, good for 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

Comeback falls short.

Zach LaVine: 34 points (12-20 FG)
DeMar DeRozan: 23 points (10-20 FG) pic.twitter.com/GJVXa0nWEk

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 18, 2023

Stirring comeback

The Bulls a season record for fewest points scored in the first half with 33 on Wednesday night against this very same Magic squad. A few nights later, they matched that first-half output, as they trailed, 48-33.

The Magic led by as much as 19 and were still up by 15, 89-74, when the Bulls rallied behind the scintillating play of LaVine who scored 10 in a massive 16-0 run capped off by an explosive in-your-face slam dunk by Coby White on Magic ace Paolo Banchero that put them up, 90-89.

COBY WHITE POSTERS BANCHERO 🤯😲🤯😲 pic.twitter.com/WAs2uEcrEW

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 18, 2023

The Magic stabilized their ship and regained the lead, 96-92, before Alex Caruso scored five straight, including a straightaway triple that shoved the Bulls ahead, 97-96.

TURN UP THE AC 🔥🔥🔥

BULLS LEAD BY 1 pic.twitter.com/woTwxe0H6k

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 18, 2023

Just like two nights ago, the Magic had an answer and this time, it came from Franz Wagner, who drove down the lane, scored a layup while getting fouled by Nikola Vucevic, and made the bonus free-throw to put Orlando back in front, 99-97, with 20.1 seconds to go.

FRANZ WAGNER PUTS ORLANDO UP LATE 😳

(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/Rr5n3bvS5r

— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) November 18, 2023

Missed opportunity

The Bulls had a solid shot at retaking the lead, but Vucevic missed a wide-open corner triple. Jonathan Isaac grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made two free throws to stretch the lead to four, 101-97, with 12 ticks left on the clock.

Zach LaVine, who has been at the center of trade talks all week, scored 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting. He also had six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. DeMar DeRozan, back in action after missing last Wednesday’s match, added 23 markers. Alex Caruso chipped in 18 points, two steals, and two blocks

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