LaVine scores 49, hits game-winner as Bulls stun Hornets

Published 10:45 pm Saturday, November 23, 2019

By Richard Walker

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Zach LaVine had a career-high 49 points, including the winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left to give the Chicago Bulls a 116-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.

LaVine, who questioned his relationship with head coach Jim Boylen the previous night, shot 17 for 28 from the field — including 13 for 17 on 3s to tie an NBA record. Only Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had previously made 13 from beyond the arc in an NBA game.

Rookie Coby White added 28 points for the Bulls.

Terry Rozier III had a game-high 28 points for Charlotte. Marvin Williams scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half as the Hornets recovered from a 14-point deficit in the first half and led by 11 early in the fourth quarter. Devonte Graham added 18 points.

The Hornets were still ahead by seven at 112-105 with 32.1 seconds left.

LaVine’s late bucket ended a flurry for the Bulls, who trailed by five with less than 10 seconds left before Tomas Satoronsky hit a 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining and White made a steal to set up LaVine’s game-winner from the right wing with less than a second to go.

The night before, LaVine was pulled from the game early in the first quarter after Miami had taken a 13-0 lead. After that 116-108 home loss, LaVine said he sensed a lack of trust from Boylen.

Boylen downplayed the issue before Saturday’s game.

“We had a good talk today,” Boylen said. “Our goals are the same. We’re moving forward. … I know Zach’s heart. I know he cares about the team. We all can get frustrated with a poor performance. Me included.”

Levine, who entered averaging 19.5 points per game, started his 17th straight game and hit his first three shots — all 3s — and two free throws for 11 points in the first 7 1/2 minutes of the game and stayed hot the rest of the night.

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TIP INS:

Bulls: When told pregame the NBA was considering changes that would alter the regular season and postseason schedules, Boylen offered his blanket support. “I’m a huge Adam Silver fan and I’m going to worry about coaching my team,” Boylen said of the league commissioner. “If they feel that’s best for the league and all of us, we’re all reaping the benefits of what’s been laid down by the league office. And I’ll continue to trust that. Whatever they want, I’ll support.”

Hornets: Veteran swingman Nic Batum missed the first 11 games of the regular season after suffering a broken finger in his left hand in the preseason. Though he’s been coming off the bench, Hornets coach James Borrego applauded Batum’s return to his lineup before Saturday’s game. “He’s done a good job,” Borrego said. “I think he’s been a real asset for us on the defensive end. His length, his experience, playmaking, secondary play maker. He’s getting his legs underneath him these last few games, so I think he’s doing well.”

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RAPTORS 119, HAWKS 116

ATLANTA (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 34 points and Fred VanVleet had 25, helping the Toronto Raptors beat Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks 119-116 on Saturday night.

Siakam, at 6-foot-9, 230 pounds, turned in another impressive performance, hurting the Hawks with mid-range jumpers and 3s. He has scored at least 30 in six games, one more than he had last season.

Norman Powell added 20 points for Toronto, which earned its third straight win.

Young had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in his second career triple-double, but Atlanta dropped its sixth straight game. The dynamic second-year guard hit two 3-pointers from 30-plus feet.

Two nights after holding an opponent under 40 percent from the field for the sixth time this season, the defending NBA champion Raptors let Atlanta shoot nearly 53 percent.

Hawks rookie De’Andre Hunter went 6 for 10 from 3-point range and finished with 26 points.

VanVleet’s 3 with 10:02 remaining gave Toronto its first lead since the final minute of the first quarter. The Raptors never trailed again.

Siakam’s layup at the 2:49 mark made it a 10-point advantage, but the Hawks pulled within four on Young’s fast-break floater with 37.5 seconds to go. Siakam quickly answered with a dunk before Hunter hit a 3 with 24.8 seconds remaining.

Hunter hit his sixth 3 to cut the lead to two, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made 1 of 2 foul shots. Young missed a 3 at the buzzer.

Young hit a straightaway 3 from 36 feet to put the Hawks up 61-52 in the closing seconds before halftime.

TIP-INS

Raptors: F Serge Ibaka missed his seventh straight game with a right ankle sprain. Coach Nick Nurse said Ibaka is “getting closer.” … G Kyle Lowry missed his seventh straight game with a left thumb fracture. Nurse said Lowry could return next weekend. Lowry worked out on the floor before the game.

Hawks: F Cam Reddish was sidelined by a left wrist sprain, missing his second straight game. Coach Lloyd Pierce said Reddish still can’t grip the ball without pain. … Young began the game as the only NBA player with top five averages in assists, points and steals.

SERIES

Toronto has won eight straight against the Hawks, including five in a row in Atlanta.

UP NEXT

Raptors: Host Philadelphia on Monday and New York on Wednesday.

Hawks: Host Minnesota on Monday and at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

UP NEXT

Bulls: Host Portland on Monday night.

Hornets: Visit Miami on Monday night.

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More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/NBA and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports