In a déjà vu moment, the Orlando Magic (7-5) managed to hold the Chicago Bulls (4-9) to 33 points in the first half for the second consecutive game, ultimately securing a 103-97 victory despite Zach LaVine’s impressive 34-point performance.
This NBA In-Season Tournament matchup echoed the storyline of their previous encounter just two nights earlier, where Orlando also overcame a 19-point lead slip to emerge victorious.
Franz Wagner led the charge for the Magic with 21 points, complemented by Jonathan Isaac’s 18, helping secure their second consecutive win against the struggling Bulls.
The parallels between the two games were striking, as the Magic once again limited the Bulls to 33 points in the first half, setting the stage for a competitive showdown.
In this contest, Wagner’s crucial three-point play in the final minute and Isaac’s free throws sealed the deal, sending the Bulls to their seventh loss in the last nine games.
Despite LaVine’s 34-point effort and a strong contribution from DeMar DeRozan with 23 points, the Bulls couldn’t escape their recent struggles.
Alex Caruso added 18 points, making four 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in their favor.
As the Bulls mounted a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter, with LaVine leading the charge, it seemed they might turn the game in their favor.
However, Orlando’s resilience, highlighted by crucial plays from Harris and Wagner, ensured the Magic maintained control.
Harris’s clutch corner 3-pointer halted the Bulls’ momentum, and despite a late surge from Caruso that briefly gave Chicago a 97-96 lead, Orlando regrouped.
