Bulls hold off Nuggets 130-127

Kevin Huerter and Nikola Vucevic buried back-to-back clutch 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds, helping the Chicago Bulls withstand a monster triple-double from Nikola Jokic and edge the Denver Nuggets 130-127 on Monday night.

Chicago blew an 18-point first-half lead and later watched a 13-point fourth-quarter cushion disappear, but rallied late to snap a five-game skid. Huerter’s go-ahead 3 with 1:25 left broke a 124-124 tie, and Vucevic’s long-range dagger with 33 seconds remaining pushed the Bulls ahead 130-125.

Denver still had a chance to tie on the final possession, but Jokic’s turnaround 3-pointer at the horn bounced off the rim.

Ayo Dosunmu and Josh Giddey each scored 21 to lead six Bulls in double figures. Giddey added 14 rebounds as Chicago’s depth dominated, outscoring Denver’s bench by an astonishing 66-9.

The Bulls showed no fatigue despite flying in after a grueling 150-147 double-overtime loss in Utah on Sunday.

Jokic delivered another masterpiece for Denver, 36 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season. He nearly had it by halftime, sitting just one assist short at the break. Jamal Murray poured in 34, including 18 in the fourth quarter, and Aaron Gordon added 24.

The loss snapped Denver’s seven-game winning streak and marked their first home defeat of the season. The Nuggets again played without Christian Braun (left ankle).

Chicago was without leading scorer Coby White (right calf strain) after his 27-point effort in Utah the night before.

Up Next

*Bulls: Wrap up their four-game trip Wednesday at Portland.

Nuggets: Begin a two-game road swing Wednesday in New Orleans.*