Bulls Outlast Hornets in Overtime Thriller
White and Craig Lead the Way
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Coby White narrowly missed his first career triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, and Torrey Craig scored 18 with five 3-pointers after halftime as the Chicago Bulls held on to beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-108 in overtime Monday night.
Nikola Vucevic Contributes
Nikola Vucevic added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls (15-18).
Miles Bridges Leads the Hornets
Miles Bridges had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists for the Hornets (7-25), who’ve lost 16 of 17.
The Game-Tying Shot
Trailing by 3 in regulation, Bridges missed a corner 3 to tie it and Vucevic was fouled. But the Bulls center missed both free throws, giving Charlotte another chance. This time, Bridges connected on a leaning 3-pointer with 2 seconds left to send the game into OT.
Overtime Dominance
The extra period was all Chicago. The Bulls raced to an eight-point lead as White scored on a drive and Vucevic and Craig knocked down 3s.
Injuries Abound
The Ball brothers matchup never materialized. LaMelo missed the game with wrist soreness. Brandon Miller (sprained ankle) also sat for the Hornets. Zach LaVine (toe soreness) and Ayo Dosunmu (soleus strain) were out for Chicago.
Takeaways
Bulls: Craig didn’t play in the first half, but was a huge spark after the break. He finished 6 of 10 from the field and 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
Hornets: Guard Tre Mann will miss at least another two weeks with disc irritation. Mann is averaging 14.1 points off the bench, but hasn’t played since Nov. 21.
Key Moment
Patrick Williams knocked down a corner 3 off an assist from Lonzo Ball with 49 seconds left in overtime to push the Chicago lead to seven. He had 17 points.
Key Stat
LaMelo Ball has now missed 116 of Charlotte’s last 196 games over the past three seasons.
Up Next
The Wizards host the Bulls on Wednesday night. The Hornets visit Detroit on Friday night.
Conclusion
The Bulls’ victory was a testament to their depth and resilience. Despite being without several key players, they were able to outlast the Hornets in overtime. White and Craig were instrumental in the win, and Vucevic provided a strong presence in the paint.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The Chicago Bulls defeated the Charlotte Hornets 115-108 in overtime.
Q: Who led the Bulls in scoring?
A: Coby White led the Bulls with 23 points, followed by Torrey Craig with 18.
Q: Who led the Hornets in scoring?
A: Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 31 points.
Q: What injuries affected the game?
A: LaMelo Ball (wrist soreness), Brandon Miller (sprained ankle), Zach LaVine (toe soreness), and Ayo Dosunmu (soleus strain) all missed the game due to injury.