Two days after Josh Giddey’s incredible buzzer-beater secured a dramatic win, the Chicago Bulls fell just short of another last-second victory, losing 120-119 to the Dallas Mavericks at home.
Hopes were high among Chicago fans after Giddey’s stunning half-court shot sealed a 119-117 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, sparking celebrations. The Bulls nearly delivered another comeback on Saturday, trimming an 11-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to just two, 118-116, with 8.6 seconds remaining.
However, Dallas’ Klay Thompson sank two free throws with 6.6 seconds left, extending their lead. The Mavericks then played disciplined defense, avoiding a foul on Nikola Vucevic, who managed to hit a three-pointer with 0.9 seconds on the clock, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.
The Bulls were aiming for their fifth consecutive victory, which would have been their best streak of the season, and their ninth win in 12 games. A win would have also helped them climb closer to eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Giddey, who had delivered a triple-double performance against the Lakers with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, had a quieter night with just eight points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
For Dallas, Thompson led the way with 20 points, while PJ Washington and Anthony Davis contributed 19 and 18 points, respectively. On the Bulls’ side, rookie Matas Buzelis shined with 28 points, while Vucevic and Coby White each added 25.
Next, Giddey and the Bulls will face a formidable challenge against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently lead the NBA. The Thunder (62-12) are on the verge of making history, aiming to become just the third team ever to reach 70 wins in a regular season. They dominated the Indiana Pacers 132-111 in their latest game.
To achieve the historic milestone, Oklahoma City must win all their remaining games, joining the ranks of the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors and the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Their star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, led the charge with 33 points as they secured their ninth straight victory. The Thunder also tied the NBA record for most wins against the opposing conference, boasting an impressive 27-1 record against Eastern Conference teams.
Meanwhile, the Lakers bounced back from their loss to Chicago, defeating Memphis 134-127. Austin Reaves starred with 31 points and eight assists, while Luka Doncic and LeBron James added 29 and 25 points, respectively.
Other results included Boston overcoming San Antonio 121-111, Miami beating Philadelphia 118-95, Orlando dominating Sacramento 121-91, and Brooklyn narrowly edging Washington 115-112.
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