Markkanen, Bulls sink Magic in final seconds

[February 23, 2019]  Lauri Markkanen hit two free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining to give the Chicago Bulls a 110-109 road win Friday night, snapping the Orlando Magic's five-game winning streak.

The Bulls were down by one when Markkanen was fouled on a 3-point attempt. After missing the first attempt, Markkanen sank the next two free throws to put the Bulls ahead, and the Magic could not get a shot off before the buzzer at the other end.

Markkanen led Chicago with 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Zach LaVine had 22 points and six assists. The Bulls have won three of their past five games, but they still own the fourth-worst record in the NBA.

Evan Fournier had 22 points, and Nikola Vucevic added 19 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for Orlando. The Magic had won seven of their last eight games coming into the All-Star break. The Friday contest marked both teams' return from the break.

Markannen's winning points came after Fournier nailed a 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left to put Orlando ahead 109-108. There were 10 lead changes in the last 5:13 of the game.

Chicago took the lead with 8:20 to go in the third and maintained the edge until Vucevic gave Orlando a 98-97 advantage.

The Bulls led by as much as 10 late in the third quarter and led 89-82 at the end of the period, but Orlando scored the first seven points of the fourth to tie the score.

Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) is congratulated by Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen as he hits a three at the end of the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago hit 11 of its first 16 shots to start the third quarter as the Bulls steadily built an 83-73 lead after trailing at halftime.

The Magic led 53-51 at the break after shooting 47.5 percent from the field and hitting nine 3-pointers in the first half. Orlando held the Bulls to 42.2 percent shooting, but Chicago forced 12 first-half turnovers.

Chicago had a 35-28 lead after starting the second quarter on an 11-2 run, but Orlando regained the lead with a run of its own. The Magic scored 13 straight and led 45-39. However, LaVine made three consecutive 3-pointers in the final minute of the half.

--Field Level Media

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