The Chicago Bulls officially clinched the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference with their 119- 89 victory over the Washington Wizards. Julian Philips, who started in place of Josh Giddey, who is nursing a lingering wrist injury, achieved a team-high and career-high of 23 points. Four other Bulls players scored in double figures, including Matas Buzelis with 20 points. As the Wizards are in the early stages of their rebuild, the Bulls aimed to capitalize on their inexperience and create a significant lead early, but they struggled to navigate their own challenges.
Congrats Julian Phillips on your first 20 point NBA game!
— Bulls On Tap (@BullsOnTap) April 12, 2025
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Chicago barely managed a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter, once again allowing Julian Champagnie to exceed his usual offensive performance. Fortunately, the Bulls converted easy points from the free-throw line, even as they fell behind the Wizards in both field goal and three-point percentages.
Red Baron launched a missile to JP!
— Bulls On Tap (@BullsOnTap) April 12, 2025
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The game dramatically shifted in the second quarter as the Bulls went on a 20- 9 scoring run. The stat sheet may not show it, but Kevin Huerter and Nikola Vucevic compensated for Giddey’s absence with Huerter’s ball handling and Vucevic’s court vision. Chicago went into halftime having outscored Washington by thirteen points in the quarter. Returning from the break, Philips exploded with 15 points through elite finishing and put-back opportunities. Eventually, he had to be subbed out after receiving his third foul of the game.
By the time the final stretch arrived, Washington’s fate had already been sealed, resulting in both teams deploying unconventional lineups. Buzelis took this opportunity to practice his scoring, and it allowed other Bulls players to adapt to a fast-paced coaching scheme. After a rocky start, the Bulls managed to overcome their early difficulties and secure some rest ahead of their play-in matchup.
BULLS WIN!!!
— Bulls On Tap (@BullsOnTap) April 12, 2025
119-89
Here are your Bulls On Tap “Beer Buds of the Night”:
Julian Phillips - 23 pts, 9 reb, 3/6 3P
Matas - 20 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 blk
Coby - 16 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast, 2 stocks pic.twitter.com/XHuZWhOdW9
The Chicago Bulls head to the Wells Fargo Center to battle the battered Philadelphia 76ers' for their final game of the season on Sunday April 13th. Tip off is at 12 p.m. CT and will air on the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN).
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