Bulls Outlast Suns in OT, 128-121

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in overtime, 128-121, on Friday
evening at United Center. The Bulls (29-29) found themselves down 102-91 with
4:31 remaining following a Devin Booker three-pointer, but mounted an impressive
comeback that eventually saw them forge a 106-106 tie with 48 seconds left after
a Jimmy Butler trey. Butler then added a 13-foot two-pointer at the nine-second
mark that gave Chicago a momentary 108-106 lead. However, Booker had a chance to
seal the win with one second on the scoreboard after he was fouled by Dwyane
Wade in three-point range, yet he missed the last of three subsequent free
throws to send the contest into overtime knotted at 108. Wade made up for his
late gaffe in the extra period, tallying half of the Bulls’ 20 points to seal
the victory. The Suns (18-40) were led by Booker, who posted 27 points, three
rebounds, two assists and two steals. Eric Bledsoe, T.J. Warren and Marquese
Chriss followed with a trio of 17-point efforts. Bledsoe added 10 assists, seven
rebounds, one steal and one block; Warren, now in primary possession of the
small forward job with P.J. Tucker traded to Toronto, complemented his scoring
total with eight boards, two assists and two steals; Chriss also registered
seven boards, one assist, two steals and two blocks. Alex Len produced a modest
four points and seven rebounds as the starting center, but Alan Williams led the
bench with 16 points, three boards and one assist. Wade’s 23 points paced
Chicago, and he added four rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
Butler compiled 22 points, nine assists, three rebounds and four steals. Robin
Lopez totaled 19 points, six boards and one block. Nikola Mirotic led the second
unit with 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists over 37 minutes. With Taj
Gibson now in Oklahoma City, Mirotic, who drained four of his five baskets from
long range, could be in for similar playing time going forward. Denzel Valentine
was productive in a reserve role as well, posting 15 points, five rebounds, five
assists and three steals over 34 minutes. The Suns remain in the Midwest and
next head to Milwaukee to tangle with the Bucks on Sunday afternoon, while the
Bulls head to Cleveland for a Saturday night, national TV showdown against the
Cavaliers.