Nikola Vučević had 25 points (10 in the third quarter) and 11 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Washington Wizards 115-111.
Vučević’s hook shot put the Bulls ahead for good with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter.
During clutch time, the Bulls outscored the Wizards 16-12. DeMar DeRozan (No. 2 in clutch wins added, 2022-23) scored 7 of the Bulls’ 16 on 2 for 4 shooting and 3 for 3 at the line. Early in the fourth quarter, Alex Caruso had 2 of his 4 steals in 5 seconds, both with the game within five points.
DeRozan scored 27 points, and Zach LaVine added 25 points (13 in the fourth quarter) with 5 3-pointers. DeRozan scored 15 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. The Bulls had 3 20-point scorers.
For the Wizards, Kristaps Porziņģis had 28 points and 9 rebounds, and Kyle Kuzma added 21 points.
The Bulls shot 50.0% from the field and 43.5% from 3 to the Wizards’ 48.8% and 29.0%. The Wizards turned it over 18 times, about 4 more than usual for this many possessions. The Wizards’ starters were outscored 71-57 in 25 minutes together.