Bulls 109-95 Hornets (December 13, 2024) Match Summary

On December 14, 2024By Littum

CHICAGO — Josh Giddey had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Chicago Bulls beat the struggling Charlotte Hornets 109-95 on Friday night.

Ayo Dosunmu scored 19 points as Chicago bounced back from two straight losses. Coby White added 18 points.

Giddey and Dosunmu each hit three 3-pointers for the Bulls, who led most of the way and sent the Hornets to their 13th loss in 16 games.

Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 21 points and Mark Williams had 15. Miles Bridges added 14 points and nine rebounds after missing 10 games with a bruised right knee.

Former Bull Taj Gibson received a standing ovation when he checked into the game with about a minute left.

Takeaway

Hornets: Even as they get healthier after being hit hard by injuries, the Hornets can’t get star guard LaMelo Ball back fast enough. The NBA’s third-leading scorer missed his seventh straight game with a strained left calf.

Bulls: The Bulls were aggressive, took control early and withstood several minor pushes en route to a fairly easy victory.

Key moment

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball had the crowd roaring late in the first half when he hustled to track down a loose ball near midcourt and connected with Zach LaVine for a thunderous alley-oop dunk.

After Miller hit a 13-footer for Charlotte, Dosunmu drove for a layup. Bridges was called for a technical after missing a drive. LaVine hit the free throw to make it 59-42 with 18 seconds left, but was called for a trip, leading to a floater for Miller at the break that cut the lead to 15.

Key state

The Bulls blocked a season-high 11 shots, with Jalen Smith matching a career best by turning away five. He also had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hornets host Philadelphia on Monday, while the Bulls visit Toronto that night.

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