Cedric Coward scored 24 points and hit two crucial free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining to give the Memphis Grizzlies a 125-124 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, March 28 at FedExForum.
Coward also grabbed nine rebounds, while Tyler Burton added 18 points and Jahmai Mashack contributed 17 as Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak.
Josh Giddey recorded a triple-double for Chicago with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, his 13th of the season, but the Bulls fell short despite his late free throws.
Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 29 points, and Collin Sexton added 26 off the bench, keeping the game tight in the fourth quarter.
The game remained close throughout, with neither team able to establish a significant lead, and Memphis carried a 98-88 advantage into the fourth.
Chicago tied the game at 124 after Giddey’s foul shots with 4 seconds left, but the Bulls failed to get a shot off after a Grizzlies turnover on the inbound pass.
Both teams were limited by injuries, with Memphis missing 11 players and Chicago sitting nine, forcing rotations to rely on reserves and bench contributors.
Perimeter shooting struggled early, with the teams combining for just 5-of-28 from three-point range four minutes before halftime.
Memphis shot 47% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc, while Chicago converted 50% of its attempts but managed only 10 three-pointers on 33 attempts.
The win gives Memphis a 25-49 record, while the Bulls fall to 29-45, maintaining their positions near the bottom of the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively.
Memphis will host the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, and Chicago travels to San Antonio the same evening.
