Magic 125, Bulls 120: Bulls make 15-point lead disappear in fourth consecutive loss

The Bulls led by 15 points halfway through the third quarter.

But no lead – or deficit for that matter – is safe in the hands of the Chicago Bulls, especially without Coby White, who missed Monday night’s loss with a left calf strain. The calf injury that caused him to miss the first 11 games of the season was in his right leg.

When push came to technical-worth shove, the Orlando Magic just wanted it more. And suddenly, the Bulls’ losing streak has reached four games.

No possession better represented the Bulls’ efforts down the stretch on Monday night than the defensive letdown with 3:34 left in the fourth. Up two, the Bulls allowed two offensive rebounds, including one to Jalen Suggs. Suggs then kicked out to Desmond Bane, who splashed a three for a lead the Magic would not surrender the rest of the night.

Bane led all scorers with 37 points. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 22 points. Giddey was one of four Bulls to reach 20 points on Monday, including Matas Buzelis (21), Nikola Vucevic (20) and Tre Jones, who added 20 off the bench.

Kevin Huerter, who did not score in six minutes of play, suffered an adductor injury in the first quarter and did not return.

The Bulls were also without Zach Collins (wrist), Noa Essengue (shoulder), Isaac Okoro (back), Jalen Smith (hamstring) and Dalen Terry (calf).

After beginning the season 5-0, the Bulls are now 4-11 since, and have allowed 120-plus points in 15 of their 20 games this year. Defense optional.

Tune into the CHGO Bulls Postgame:

With so many players out and Kevin Huerter joining the extensive IR after just six minutes, the Bulls needed to find shot creation from different places, so it was nice to see Matas Buzelis getting some expanded opportunity. This was Buzelis’ first time scoring 20 or more in nine games. He had 21 after failing to reach double-figures in his previous two games. He had two and-1s and a total of six free throw attempts.

Defensively, Buzelis was locked in on box outs (six rebounds) and this was by far the most active he has been in quite some time, with two steals and three blocks.

He had a season-high four assists, which is not overly impressive, but hopefully a sign of more to come as he gets more on-ball reps as his career progresses.

— Will Gottlieb

The Bulls need to get some of these guys healthy, my goodness. Coby White being a late scratch with calf tightness – in his other calf – is a serious worry. It could just be the Bulls’ medical team tagline of “abundance of caution”, and hopefully that’s all it is. But with as many of their role guys as they have on the shelf right now, they really could’ve used him tonight.

I appreciated the Matas Buzelis’ aggressiveness tonight. He prioritized attacking the basket over his deep shots tonight. And not just on the first few possessions, which seems to have been a recent trend for him.

Shout-out to Patrick for his season-high…6 rebounds. Sigh. Not all on Pat, but the Bulls bench got worked tonight. Understandable given the number of bodies they’re missing. Also not ideal for a team that was relying on their bench being a huge nightly advantage earlier this season.

Short notes tonight. Thanks to all who hung out with us for our Live Watchalong during the game! Hope to see you join us for the next one if you missed it!

— Matt Peck 

Another L. Pass the leftovers and gravy.

Bulls’ injuries are really piling up. Red Velvet went out, which may explain his shooting issues as of late.

I really enjoyed Matas and how aggressive he played. The Magic are not small and that still didn’t deter Matas from getting to the bucket. You like to see that. He does need to be better at harnessing and controlling that anger. He’ll learn.

Tough game turnover-wise from Josh Giddey. Didn’t look comfortable out there and the Magic didn’t help him out.

Good game for Josh Giddey scoring-wise. Much better effort in the 2nd half for Captain Crikey.

Julian Phillips has a good game tonight. Took advantage of the minutes he got tonight.

Games like this frustrate me sometimes. Whether they win or lose, the effort should always be there like it was tonight.

— Big Dave