ATLANTA — Matas Buzelis scored 28 points to lead nine Chicago players in double figures and the Bulls outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 152-150 on Sunday in the NBA’s highest-scoring game this season.
Chicago set season highs for first-half and game points and held on in the final seconds in the first of two straight games in Atlanta. The teams will meet again Tuesday evening.
The Bulls also participated in the previous highest-scoring game this season, a 150-147 double-overtime loss to Utah on November 16. Golden State defeated Denver 162-158 on November 2, 1990 in the highest-scoring regulation game in NBA history.
The Bulls surpassed their previous record for points in the first half by taking an 83-73 halftime lead. They scored 72 points in the first half in a 128-122 loss at Cleveland on November 8. The Bulls also set a record this season in scoring in a game, surpassing their total in a 150–147 loss at Utah on November 16.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 36 points and Trae Young had a game-high 35 points. The Hawks lost three games in a row and seven of nine to fall back to .500 at 15-15.
Johnson’s 3-pointer with five seconds left gave the Bulls a 151-150 lead. Buzelis made one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds left before Young missed a last-second jumper.
Buzelis made a career-high seven three-pointers in eight attempts for the Bulls. They have won three games in a row to improve to 13-15.
Oneka Okongwu, you will have 23 points and 20 points.
Young started for the second time in three games after missing 21 games with a sprained right MCL. Coach Quin Snyder said Young will need a continued “acclimation process” to be ready to play back-to-back games.
Bulls guard Coby White had 21 points after being listed as questionable due to left ankle soreness. Josh Giddey had 19 points and 12 assists.
Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) missed his sixth consecutive game. The Hawks announced that forward Eli Ndiaye will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn labrum suffered during a G League game against College Park on December 9.
——
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
