NBA – Regular Season Chicago, United Center Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic – 121-114
Chicago continues to show signs of recovery and does so in the most convincing way: recovering, suffering and closing with personality a match that Orlando had tried to direct several times. The absolute protagonist is Matas Buzeliswho scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half and took center stage in the decisive moments, with two very heavy free throws with 22.8 seconds left and the rebound that led to Isaac Okoro’s dunk for the final 121-114. A complete performance, enriched by a season high of seven assists and a constant presence in the possessions that count.
The match, however, was not linear at all. Orlando starts off strong, rides a surgical Paolo Banchero in the first minutes – 11 points in the first 7’16” – and builds a lead of up to 13 points thanks to a 14-0 that stuns Chicago. The Bulls react patiently, get back on track thanks to Kevin Huerter and the internal work of Nikola Vucevic, until they find the score 59-59 at the break with a perfect cut from Huerter himself. But the Magic, despite the prolonged absence of Franz Wagner and the bad luck that hit Jalen Suggs – forced out with a knee problem in the third quarter – remained in the game with Anthony Black, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr., maintaining control until 95-91 which opened the final period.
That’s where Chicago shifts gears. The fourth period is a manifesto of mental toughness: 30-19 the score, with six players in double figures despite the significant absences of Josh Giddey and Coby White. Buzelis signs the overtaking with a step-back triple for 105-102, Ayo Dosunmu adds penetration and pace, while Vucevic holds his own under the basket against a never tamed Carter Jr.. Orlando tries to stay connected, but the Bulls’ clarity in the final possessions makes the difference: free throws, rebounds, execution. Everything needed to return to the 50% record (17-17) and give continuity to a moment that, finally, smells of rediscovered identity.
