Washington's 40-point quarter sinks Bulls 120-124 at the United Center

Highlights

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Forty points in twelve minutes. Washington's third quarter at the United Center was the whole game in miniature: a 62-57 Bulls halftime lead shredded by a 40-20 period, and a final score of 120-124 that flattered nobody's memory of the first 24 minutes.

The first half belonged to Chicago. The Bulls trailed 27-28 after one, answered with a 35-29 second quarter and went to the break up five, their biggest lead of the night sitting at 10. They also did the dirty work: 10 steals to Washington's 5, and just 12 turnovers of their own. Then the third quarter happened. The Wizards poured in 40, held Chicago to 20, strung together a 12-point run and took an 82-97 lead into the fourth. By then the block party was rolling — Washington finished with 7 blocks to Chicago's 1, and Kyshawn George rejected four shots on his own.

The Bulls kept swinging. Caleb Wilson hit a three to cut it to 112-118, Matas Buzelis another to make it 115-118. Anthony Davis and Trae Young answered from the line, Young's free throws pushing it to 118-124 before Buddy Hield's late bucket set the 120-124 final. Washington had led for 27:03, Chicago for just 16:59 — the visitors controlled the clock even when the scoreboard tightened.

Wilson's line deserved better: 30 points, 14 rebounds and a plus-14 in a four-point loss. George countered with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and those 4 blocks, also at plus-14, while Young's 25 points and 9 assists came with a minus-10. Norman Powell chipped in 18 points and 4 steals, Matas Buzelis 21, and Anthony Davis's 19 came on 38 percent shooting.

Chicago stole the ball more and blocked less; Washington took the rebounds, the lead time and the game.