The Chicago Bulls lost their fourth game in a row to the Orlando Magic, 125 to 120. Go tell Mickey Mouse all their problems.
The Chicago Bulls couldn’t maintain a 13-point lead in the third quarter versus the Orlando Magic, losing 125-120 in the house that Mickey built. Desmond Bane was too much for the Bulls, scoring 37 points with a mix of long jumpers and clever drives to the hoop. Without Coby White, who was sidelined with a new calf injury, the Bulls were led by Josh Giddey. The floppy-haired Aussie put up 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, though he also had eight turnovers.
Much attention has once again been given to coach Billy Donovan. For this game, let’s consider how his message resonated with his focus on playing physically and with desperation — especially with only one active center. And what has Donovan repeatedly emphasized the Bulls need to do?
Play with Physicality and Desperation
The rebounding battle was intense, with both sides fighting hard in a physical game. Orlando grabbed 46 rebounds compared to Chicago’s 43, which wasn’t a major concern given the Bulls’ size disadvantage. Until late in the fourth quarter, rebounding was almost even.
According to Elias Schuster of Sports Illustrated, the Magic scored 62 points in the paint, shooting 26-34 around the rim. The Magic also edged out the Bulls in free throws, earning ten more points at the line.
In the final minutes, the Magic overwhelmed Matas Buzelis with aggressive play reminiscent of a fifth grader in PE dodgeball. In the last five minutes, he scored 21 points with six rebounds and four assists, but also missed a crucial box-out against Magic forward Franz Wagner, which led to extra shots and three points.
Story continues below.
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Giddey was then bodied by former Bull Wendell Carter Jr. (17 points with six rebounds) for a huge second-chance dunk.
After this mistake, Buzelis was flagged with a flagrant foul for shoving Bane. Bane and Wagner kept attacking him afterward.
The Chicago Bulls couldn’t match the Orlando Magic’s physicality in the fourth quarter. Clutch time remains a problem for the Bulls; their issues with physical play and second-chance points continue to hurt them. However, it wasn’t a lack of effort — the team is too shallow. The coaching staff’s message has taken hold, and the players are physically outmatched.
Giddey clearly took the coach’s message seriously. He was active on offense, recorded three steals, and at times looked like the best player on the court. He scored 18 points in the second half, showing no signs of giving up physically or mentally. Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu both delivered in line with their coach’s advice and their own statements — Vucevic scored 20 points with 11 rebounds, while Dosunmu had 18 points, 12 coming from beyond the arc.
How It Ended
Bulls fans might have felt their late-game comeback was on when Bane fumbled a rebound into the Bulls’ hoop, cutting the lead to three. Bane responded by driving to the basket, and after review, the charge call was reversed. He hit two free throws. Buzelis made a driving shot, but Orlando broke the press afterward. Carter’s thunderous dunk sealed the five-point victory.
Final Notes
Kevin Huerter left after five minutes with an injury and did not return.
Tre Jones scored 20 points off the bench and was part of the closing lineup.
Julian Phillips was electric in this game, scoring ten active points and delivering a thunderous dunk or two.
Australian rookie Lachlan Olbroch couldn’t replicate his success from the Pacers game — he finished with a -17 in 12 minutes, was scoreless, and grabbed four rebounds.
What’s On Tap Next
The Bulls, missing seven players due to injury, head into Wednesday’s game against the young and spirited Brooklyn Nets. Their goal will be to avoid extending their four-game losing streak and to establish the physicality needed to win in this league. Tip-off is at 7 pm CT and will air on CHSN.