Bulls push past Wizards in OT

[March 21, 2019]  Kris Dunn atoned for a late miss in regulation with a pair of 3-pointers in overtime, and Lauri Markkanen added a back-breaking trey with 32.3 seconds remaining Wednesday night, sending the Chicago Bulls to a 126-120 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards.

The loss assured the Wizards (30-42) of a losing season and cost them a key game in their desperate quest to move up from 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

After Robin Lopez's two free throws opened the scoring for the Bulls in the five-minute extra session, Dunn increased Chicago's lead to five with his first 3-pointer of the overtime.

Bradley Beal countered with a pair of free throws for Washington, but Dunn then struck again, bombing in another 3-pointer to push the Bulls six points in front.

Dunn missed two free throws with a 121-117 lead and one minute remaining, and Beal dropped in two more foul shots to make it a two-point game.

Markkanen, the game's leading scorer with 32 points, then connected from 26 feet, giving the Bulls a cushion they were able to retain the rest of the way.

Markkanen, who also collected a game-high 13 rebounds, and Dunn (26 points, 13 assists) recorded double-doubles for the Bulls, who won their second straight after a five-game losing streak.

Shaquille Harrison added 18 points for the Bulls, while Cristiano Felicio had 15 and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot 13.

The Bulls won despite getting outscored 42-36 on 3-pointers and outscored 18-14 on free throws. Chicago helped itself with 15 offensive rebounds, including four apiece by Markkanen and Felicio, while Washington had 12 offensive boards.

Jabari Parker, traded from Chicago to Washington at the deadline, led the Wizards with 28 points.

Bobby Portis, another player in that trade, had 15 points for the Wizards, who lost their second straight.

Bulls guard Wayne Selden (14) shoots over Washington Wizards guard Chasson Randle (9) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Beal compiled 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Tomas Satoransky had 16 points, Jeff Green 10 and Troy Brown Jr. nine to go with 10 rebounds.

Chicago appeared to be in control in the final minute of regulation when Portis was assessed a flagrant foul on Markkanen with 50.5 seconds remaining and the Bulls leading 110-109.

Markkanen made both free throws to increase the lead to three, after which the Bulls retained possession of the ball because of the flagrant foul.

Dunn misfired on a 3-point attempt, however, and the Wizards eventually were able to force overtime on a 15-footer from Beal with 2.4 seconds left.

Befitting teams that had split the first two games of their season series, the game was close throughout, with neither club able to build a double-digit advantage.

The Bulls led by as many as eight in the third period, and 85-81 at period's end. But Parker's 3-pointer with 8:22 remaining in regulation gave Washington a 91-89 lead, setting up the tight finish.

--Field Level Media

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