Magic power past Bulls, 125-120

Desmond Bane scored for 18 of his 37 points in the final period, powering the Orlando Magic past the Chicago Bulls 125–120 on Monday night. He buried a go-ahead three with 3:23 remaining to ignite an 8–0 run, then capped the surge with a free throw that pushed the lead to 117–111 with just over two minutes left.

Bane finished 12-of-17 from the floor while adding six rebounds and five assists in one of his most efficient performances of the season.

Franz Wagner supplied 25 points, and Anthony Black delivered a huge boost off the bench with 22 points and nine boards. Orlando has now won six of its last seven games, continuing its climb in the East.

Chicago dropped its fourth straight despite big nights from multiple contributors. Josh Giddey posted 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists; rookie Matas Buzelis added 21; and Nikola Vučević recorded a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double. Tre Jones chipped in 20, and Ayo Dosunmu added 18 points and seven assists.

The Bulls controlled much of the third quarter, stretching the lead to 15 while holding Orlando without a field goal for the first five minutes. But momentum swung late in the period when Bane drilled a three and Noah Penda hammered home a driving dunk to tie it at 85 heading into the fourth.

Wendell Carter Jr. added 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting for the Magic, who closed with poise down the stretch.

Up next:

*Bulls: Host the Nets on Wednesday.

Magic: Continue their homestand Wednesday vs. the Spurs*