Paolo Banchero added 19 points, alongside eight assists and seven rebounds, as Orlando secured their third win of the season against Chicago. Significant defensive efforts and rebounds came from Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, and Goga Bitadze, who saw increased playtime. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley praised the impact of players who stepped up in crucial moments.
“These guys that had not played some minutes came in and stepped up huge,” Mosley said.
DeRozan led the Bulls’ scoring with 28 points, while Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double with 26 points and 17 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu added 19 points, navigating through the game with five fouls.
Foul trouble posed significant challenges for Chicago, affecting their rotation and energy levels towards the game’s climax, as noted by coach Billy Donovan, who acknowledged the team’s fatigue but refused to use it as an excuse.
“I think foul trouble really exhausted our team, quite honestly,” Donovan said. “I thought we were really tired coming down the stretch. I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but I just felt like we were gassed.”
Extended minutes for DeRozan, Vucevic, and Coby White, who all played over 43 minutes, reflected the team’s exertion, with DeRozan highlighting the season’s weariness yet emphasizing the need to push through.
“Pretty sure everybody is tired,” DeRozan said. “It’s that point in the season where everybody is waiting for a break. We have to leave it all out there.”
White, after a streak of high-scoring games, managed 14 points and seven assists but struggled with a 5 for 21 shooting performance. The Bulls narrowed an early 10-point deficit to just two by halftime and took the lead in the third quarter, extending it to 11 points at one stage. However, Isaac’s defensive prowess on DeRozan late in the third shifted momentum, earning high praise from Anthony for his defensive excellence.
“We’ve got a defensive belt we started giving out after games, but it’s just going to stay in his locker,” Anthony said. “I told Jonathan, `You’re the best defender I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Isaac, in a season-high 25 minutes, contributed significantly with 12 rebounds, seven points, and three blocks, embodying the defensive anchor for Orlando. Wagner’s three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter were pivotal for the Magic to reclaim the lead, setting the stage for an intense finish that extended into overtime after a late tie by DeRozan.
Looking ahead, the Bulls will face the Atlanta Hawks, while the Magic will welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder in their upcoming games.
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