Field Level Media
Mar 30, 2018
Lauri Markkanen and Sean Kilpatrick each scored 13 points, and the Chicago Bulls snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 90-82 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
Cameron Payne added 11 points, and Cristiano Felico grabbed 16 rebounds for the Bulls, who completed the season sweep of the Magic and continued their dominance over Orlando with their 15th win in the last 21 meetings.
Aaron Gordon scored 18 points, and Nikola Vucevic scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Magic, who went 2-5 on their seven-game homestand, which came to a close Friday.
Markkanen, who has missed six of the last eight games with back spasms, returned to the lineup and scored 12 first-half points to help the Bulls build a 57-44 halftime lead.
Orlando opened the third quarter with a 15-4 run, capped by a bucket from D.J. Augustin that cut Chicago's lead to three. The Magic outscored the Bulls 25-9 in the third quarter and took a 69-66 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Bulls quickly regained the lead in the fourth quarter. They used a 14-0 run, capped by two Kilpatrick free throws that gave Chicago an 80-71 lead with 6:44 to play. Noah Vonleh and Ryan Arcidiacono hit 3-pointers during the Bulls' spurt.
The Magic went scoreless for nearly six minutes during the Bulls' run in the fourth quarter.
While Markkanen provided a boost in his return, the Bulls were still without guards Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine. Both have been sidelined with injuries during Chicago's losing streak.
Chicago hit 14 3-pointers and held Orlando to just 31.9 percent shooting in the win.
Orlando travels to Atlanta on Sunday, followed by a trip to New York to take on the Knicks on Tuesday.
The Bulls return home to host the Washington Wizards on Sunday and the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.
--Field Level Media