‘Feels special: Hero’s game-winner stuns in wild scenes as Giddey’s Bulls survive thriller — NBA Wrap
Nikola Vucevic called game!
Vucevic hit a buzzer beater 3-pointer and Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls took down the Portland Trail Blazers 122-121 in a thriller.
The Blazers rallied hard in the Thursday’s contest (all times AEDT) in their home building with a huge fourth quarter comeback.
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Down 16 entering the final period, Portland surged home in a one-sided finish, with a Deni Avdija triple tying the scores at 116-116 with 1:22 left.
A Donovan Clingan and-one extended the Blazers lead and Avdija split a pair of free throws to make it a 120-116 game with 16.2 on the clock.
Coby White kept Chicago alive with a deep three to reduce the visitors’ deficit to just one at 120-119, while Jerami Grant split a pair of free throws to give the Bulls a chance to win the game.
And Vucevic did just that.
Giddey inbounded to White, who dribbled into the paint then kicked out to Vucevic in the corner for the game-winning shot as Bulls players went crazy in celebration.
“I didn’t make any shots in the fourth … just not a great fourth quarter for me overall and the team … (but) I just felt confident in my shot, and glad it went in, glad we got the win,” Vucevic told the Chicago Sports `Network broadcast post-game.
“Obviously, I wish we closed the game off sooner, but it feels great to get the game-winner — feels special, you always enjoy them a lot.”
Asked about the Bulls’ resilience after surrendering the lead, Vucevic said: “It says a lot, but we can’t always sit here and talk about resilience. At some point, we have to beat a team that once we do get up 10-15, almost 20 points tonight, stay with our foot on the gas and finish the game off … moving forward we can’t rely on trying to save games.”
Vucevic’s 27 points led the Bulls and White added 25 off the bench.
It wasn’t Giddey’s best night including an inefficient 3-of-9 shooting display for nine points with five turnovers, but he did dish out 13 assists and grabbed five rebounds.
It’s the second game winning play from Vucevic in as many games after his clutch 3-pointer led the Bulls past Denver earlier this week in a game that also went down to the wire.
It meant Chicago went 2-1 on its Northwest road trip and has won two in a row following a five-game losing streak.
The Blazers, who were on a back-to-back, have dropped four on the trot.
ALL RESULTS
Rockets 114 Cavaliers 104
Hornets 118 Pacers 127
Raptors 121 76ers 112
Warriors 96 Heat 110
Wizards 109 Timberwolves 120
Nuggets 125 Pelicans 118
Kings 99 Thunder 113
Knicks 113 Mavericks 111
Bulls 122 Trail Blazers 121
