Vucevic's Buzzer-Beater Gives Bulls 122-121 Win Over Blazers

Portland, Oregon (AP) - Nikola Vucevic drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Chicago Bulls to a 122-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, capping a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback by the hosts and preserving Chicago's momentum after ending a five-game losing streak.

The Bulls, who built a 21-point lead early in the final period, appeared headed for an easy win until Portland unleashed a 30-7 run fueled by Deni Avdija's versatile performance. Avdija, starting in place of several injured teammates, finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, including a three-pointer that tied the score at 116 with 1:22 remaining. Moments later, he assisted Donovan Clingan on a reverse layup and free throw that gave the Blazers a 119-116 edge with 47 seconds left, their first lead since the opening half.

Chicago responded quickly. Coby White, who scored 25 points off the bench in his second game back from a calf injury, hit a three-pointer with 9.1 seconds to go, pulling the Bulls within 120-119 after Jerami Grant made one of two free throws for Portland. On the ensuing inbound, Australian guard Josh Giddey, with nine points and 13 assists, found...