Bulls Snap Eight-Game Skid: Player Grades for Norman Powell Dominates Hawks, Josh Giddey Triple Double
A Needed Win at Home
Chicago held off Atlanta in a 125-117 game that lasted through overtime, giving home fans an NBA Cup victory. The Bulls had entered the night after eight consecutive losses and a 1-9 start to the year.
The win was a boost for a young team that recently lost a key building block for the foreseeable future. It also arrived before road games in Minnesota and Cleveland, which will close out a difficult opening stretch.
Powell Delivers in Overtime
Norman Powell scored nine of Chicago’s 15 points in overtime and repeatedly attacked the Hawks off the dribble. His late surge helped seal a victory after a difficult finish to regulation.
Powell missed on three straight late-fourth-quarter possessions and took a pair of contested shots, but he stayed confident. His recovery after those misses offered a lesson for the team’s younger players.
Giddey and Okoro Make Impacts
Josh Giddey helped Chicago start strongly by creating offense from the inside out and contributing on the boards. He finished with his first triple-double of the season, after recording 13 last season.
Isaac Okoro’s defense and movement without the ball helped the starting lineup. He played a game-high 41 minutes and made a key baseline cut for a reverse finish in overtime, putting Chicago ahead by two possessions with 1:56 remaining.
Williams and Buzelis Contribute
With Caleb Wilson sidelined for at least a month, Patrick Williams has a chance to take on a larger role. He made four of six three-point attempts, including a fourth-quarter shot that gave Chicago a 106-103 lead with 3:43 left.
Matas Buzelis shot 3-for-8 but contributed with rebounds and defense. Chicago limited Atlanta to 25-for-42 in the restricted area, and Buzelis helped in that effort.
Key points
- The Bulls beat the Hawks 125-117 in overtime for an NBA Cup victory.
- Norman Powell scored nine of Chicago’s 15 overtime points.
- Josh Giddey recorded his first triple-double of the season.
- Patrick Williams made four of six three-point attempts as Caleb Wilson is sidelined for at least a month.