Matas Buzelis scored a season-high 28 points and the visiting Chicago Bulls set a season mark for points scored in a 152-150 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Chicago led by seven points on Buzelis’ 3-pointer with 4:30 left, but the Bulls hit only 4 of 9 free throws in the final minute to give Atlanta a chance. The Bulls hung on when Trae Young missed a floater at the buzzer that would have tied the game.
Chicago has won the first two games of the season series and the teams meet for the final time on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Bulls have won three straight and the Hawks have lost three in a row.
Coby White added 21 points and Josh Giddey had 19 points and 12 assists for his 17th double-double. The Bulls had nine players score in double figures.
Atlanta lost despite getting 36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists from Jalen Johnson and a season-high 35 points from Young. The Hawks added 23 points from Onyeka Okongwu and 20 from Vit Krejci. The Hawks also recorded their season high for points.
The Bulls broke out to a 21-10 lead, but Atlanta came back thanks to Okongwu’s 15 points, including a pair of 3-pointers during a 12-2 run, and the game was tied 38-38 after one period.
Chicago outscored Atlanta 45-35 in the second quarter as Buzelis scored nine. Johnson took a hard foul and hurt his back at 6:41. He was taken by Atlanta trainers to the locker room, but he was able to return before the end of the half.
The Bulls shot 60.9% in the first 24 minutes and had an 83-73 halftime lead. It was the most points scored in a half by the Bulls and the most points allowed in a half by the Hawks this season.
Atlanta got back in the game by winning the third quarter 42-33. Krejci scored eight points in the quarter, despite dislocating a finger on his right hand. Trainers popped the finger back into place and Krejci remained in the game. Chicago took a 116-115 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Bulls outshot the Hawks 57.6% to 52.0% to finish the game.
