Matas Buzelis scored 21 points, including 17 in the second half, and added a season-high seven assists to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 121-114 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday at the United Center. Buzelis’ free throws with 22.8 seconds left set up Isaac Okoro’s game-sealing dunk with four seconds remaining.
Kevin Huerter contributed 20 points, Nikola Vucevic added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu scored 17 as the Bulls outscored Orlando 30-19 in the fourth quarter to climb back to .500 at 17-17. Chicago had six players reach double figures while missing top scorers Josh Giddey and Coby White due to injury.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 31 points, and Anthony Black added 18. Jalen Suggs returned from a seven-game absence but left the game with a right knee strain after scoring 11 points, while Desmond Bane added 14 and Wendell Carter Jr. had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Magic led 95-91 entering the fourth quarter, but a Buzelis 3-pointer gave the Bulls a 105-102 edge with 4:44 remaining. Chicago steadily extended the lead in the final minutes, taking advantage of Orlando’s scoring lapses to secure the win.
Chicago erased an early 13-point deficit after the Magic went on a 14-0 run in the first quarter, tying the game at 59 at halftime on a Huerter layup. Orlando’s Banchero scored 11 of his first 13 points in the opening 7:16 but could not sustain the lead.
The Bulls shot 50% overall and 89% from the free-throw line, while Orlando converted 44% of field goals and 67% from the line. Chicago also dominated the assist battle, with Buzelis distributing seven, keeping the offense balanced despite missing key contributors.
The Bulls will host Charlotte on Saturday, while the Magic visit Indiana on Sunday.
