- Josh Giddey's halfcourt buzzer-beater caps wild fourth-quarter Bulls comeback
- Chicago makes 11 three-pointers in final period, including 3 in last 10 seconds
- Lakers suffer second loss to Bulls in 5 days despite LeBron's 24-point effort
- Bulls improve to 11-5 since trading Zach LaVine, enter playoff contention
The Chicago Bulls completed one of the NBA's most improbable comebacks Thursday night, fueled by Josh Giddey's 45-foot prayer at the buzzer. Trailing by 13 points midway through the fourth quarter, the Bulls unleashed a three-point barrage rarely seen in modern basketball history. Chicago's 11 three-pointers in the final period marked the most by any team in a fourth quarter since the Warriors' record-setting 2016 season.
Giddey's triple-double performance (25 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists) showcased why Chicago's front office prioritized him in the Zach LaVine trade. The Australian guard becomes just the second Bull since Michael Jordan to record five triple-doubles in a season. We've built something special here through conditioning and trust,Giddey told reporters post-game. When you see veterans like LeBron gasping in transition, you know our system's working.
The Lakers' back-to-back buzzer-beater games highlight a concerning trend for the storied franchise. Having now lost eight of their last twelve, Los Angeles faces mounting pressure to justify their aging roster construction. LeBron James' late-game turnover – his fifth in crunch time situations this month – raises questions about load management for the 39-year-old superstar.
Chicago's resurgence offers a blueprint for small-market teams: prioritize athleticism over star power. Since implementing their 14-second shot clock conditioning program during preseason workouts, the Bulls lead the league in fourth-quarter comebacks (7) and transition points (19.8 per game). This fast-paced philosophy has particularly punished veteran-laden rosters, with Chicago going 5-1 against teams in the top 10 for player age this month.
A regional economic impact study reveals the Bulls' hot streak has increased United Center ticket prices by 38% since March. Local bars reported 22% higher game-night revenue compared to last season, signaling renewed fan engagement. This team embodies Chicago's blue-collar identity,said Mayor Brandon Johnson during Friday's press briefing. When our teams win, the entire city benefits.
As playoff positioning intensifies, analysts note Chicago's remaining schedule favors their up-tempo style. With eight of their final twelve opponents ranking in the bottom third for defensive transition efficiency, the Bulls could realistically secure the Eastern Conference's sixth seed. However, skeptics point to their -1.2 net rating against .500+ teams as a potential postseason concern.