Nikola Vucevic drained a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer, lifting the Chicago Bulls (8-6) past the Portland Trail Blazers (6-9) 122-121 on Wednesday night at Moda Center. Coby White scored 25 points off the bench, helping Chicago recover from a 21-point fourth-quarter lead.
The Blazers staged a furious rally, with Deni Avdija tying the game at 116 on a 3-pointer and Donovan Clingan briefly putting Portland ahead 119-116 with 47 seconds left. White’s 3-pointer with 9.1 seconds cut the deficit to one, setting up Vucevic’s clutch shot.
Jerami Grant led Portland with 33 points in the loss, marking the Blazers’ fourth straight defeat and sixth in seven games. Jrue Holiday missed his third consecutive game with a calf injury, while Shaedon Sharpe was sidelined with right calf soreness.
Chicago’s bench scored 36 points, led by White, compared with Portland’s 64 from reserves, yet the Bulls’ starters combined for 86 points, outscoring Portland’s 57. Vucevic finished with 27 points and eight rebounds, while Josh Giddey added nine assists.
The Bulls held a 62-58 halftime lead after White’s 26-foot running jumper put them ahead in the second quarter. Despite Portland’s comeback, Chicago never relinquished the lead, with Vucevic and White orchestrating the final possession.
Chicago will host the Miami Heat on Friday, while the Trail Blazers travel to Golden State the same night.
