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.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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