Coby White scored a career-best 44 points as the Chicago Bulls notched a thrilling 125-123 win over the host Orlando Magic on Thursday.
White scored his team’s last nine points and 14 of its last 17 to help the Bulls overcome a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to inflict the Magic’s fifth successive home defeat.
With Chicago up by two points and 14.0 seconds remaining, Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr. beat White in a jump ball, giving the Magic the last possession.
But Paolo Banchero missed a 3-pointer for the win with two seconds remaining.
The rebound was pulled in by Carter, but his putback dunk came fractionally after the final buzzer sounded.
Tre Jones added 20 points for the Bulls, while Josh Giddey narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Banchero and Cole Anthony both posted 20 points for the Magic, who received solid contributions from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (19 points), Franz Wagner (18) and Carter (17).
Orlando held a slender 35-33 advantage at the end of the first quarter, which comprised 13 lead changes and six ties.
The Magic moved ahead by six points before Jones paced a 20-6 burst from the Bulls, who pulled in front 55-47 midway through the second period.
Piloted by Banchero, Orlando closed the gap to 69-66 at halftime then scored the first eight points of the third frame to move back in front.
The Magic’s zone defense was causing issues for Chicago as the margin grew to 88-77 before White led the Bulls’ revival.
Kevin Huerter’s 3-pointer tied the game at 92 before Orlando eased back into a 101-96 lead with a quarter to play.
Jalen Smith fouled out for Chicago with 8:11 left in the fourth, then followed it with a technical before being ushered through the tunnel as he continued to argue with spectators.
A flurry of free throws resulted, and the Magic’s lead increased to 112-103 before White responded to the challenge.
He soared for a dunk to trim the margin to one point before his seventh trey gave the Bulls the lead with 2:18 to play and Chicago would never trail again.
–Field Level Media
