Jalen Suggs' Game-Winner Leads Magic Over Bulls

The Orlando Magic led big against the Chicago Bulls, but didn't have the lead at the final whistle.
Jalen Suggs' Game-Winner Leads Magic Over Bulls
Jalen Suggs' Game-Winner Leads Magic Over Bulls /

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is starting off its three-game road trip on the right foot with a 108-107 win against the Chicago Bulls Friday night at the United Center.

With the win, the Magic snapped a two-game losing streak and got back into a rhythm that appeared to be lacking in the last two games.

The game ended after Jalen Suggs hit a game-winning three following two missed free throws from Nikola Vucevic.

The Magic started off hot, shooting over 50 percent from the field in the first half and built a lead as large as 19. But the Bulls were not going to go away that easy. Chicago kept chipping away, and eventually tied the game late in the fourth quarter at 94.

The Magic was able to tack on a 7-0 run to build a seven-point lead, but the Bulls responded with a 9-2 run of their own to tie the game with a minute to go.

Franz Wagner appeared to hit a go-ahead basket, but an offensive foul - his sixth - was called instead. Wagner's absence in the final possessions hurt the Magic, as the Bulls scored on two Javonte Green dunks to possibly ice the game.

The Magic played the free-throw catch up game, and it worked. Suggs' three silenced the Chicago crowd and gave Orlando the one-point win it needed.

For the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan was spectacular, scoring 41 points in the loss.

The Magic nearly coughed up the game, but Orlando fought hard and the basketball gods rewarded the team with its effort in the end.

Orlando looks to get another win tomorrow night against the Indiana Pacers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.