Field Level Media
Feb 7, 2021
Zach LaVine scored 39 points and Denzel Valentine added a season-high 20 to boost the visiting Chicago Bulls to a 118-92 victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
Chicago avenged a narrow loss at Orlando on Friday to earn a split of the back-to-back at Amway Center. The Bulls led by as many as 33 points in the third quarter, their largest advantage of the season, while holding an opponent under 100 points for the first time.
Bulls rookie Patrick Williams added 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Fueled by a career-high 43 points from Nikola Vucevic during Friday's 123-119 win against Chicago, the Magic struggled offensively Saturday, shooting 38.9 percent. The Magic managed just 12 points in the second quarter, missing 16 of their 21 attempts from the field, including all seven from 3-point range.
Vucevic led the Magic with 17 points and eight rebounds. Starting in place of late scratch Evan Fournier (back spasms), Dwayne Bacon added 16 points, while Mo Bamba (14), Terrence Ross (13), Cole Anthony (11) and Frank Mason (10) followed in double figures.
After missing all six of his field goal attempts in the first half, Chicago's Coby White shot 5-for-5 in the third quarter, tallying all of his 13 points. Thaddeus Young chipped in 11 points, while Tomas Satoranksy had six of the Bulls' 28 assists.
LaVine added seven rebounds and four assists while shooting 16-for-25 from the floor.
LaVine dashed to the basket for a layup with 1.8 seconds left in the first half, as his 21st and 22nd points gave the Bulls a 61-43 lead at the break. One night after leading Chicago with 26 points, LaVine had nearly that many in the first 24 minutes Saturday.
Valentine (13 points) and Williams (10) also were in double figures at the half. Vucevic and Ross paced Orlando with 11 points apiece.
Chicago shot 50 percent in the first half compared to 34.9 percent for Orlando.
The Bulls, who were without Lauri Markkanen (right shoulder sprain) and Otto Porter Jr. (lower back spasms), lead the all-time series against the Magic 61-52.
--Field Level Media