ATLANTA (AP) Zach LaVine scored 21 points, including four free throws in the final 17 seconds to stop Atlanta’s comeback, and the Chicago Bulls beat the injury-depleted Hawks 129-122 on Sunday.
Bobby Portis also had 21 points for Chicago.
The Hawks, already playing without injured point guard Dennis Schroder, lost Kent Bazemore to a right knee sprain and Jaylen Morris to a left ankle injury in the second quarter.
Taurean Prince, who led Atlanta with a career-high 38 points, sank a 3-pointer in traffic with 1:26 remaining to cut Chicago’s lead to 118-115.
Prince added a four-point play with 18.3 seconds remaining, again cutting the Bulls’ lead to three points at 125-122 before LaVine’s free throws padded the lead.
Mike Muscala also set a career high with 19 points for Atlanta.
Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points and Antonio Blakeney had 14 for Chicago.
Bazemore hopped off the court straight into the tunnel, headed toward the team’s locker room, after landing awkwardly and hurting his knee with 5:24 remaining in the first half. Minutes later, the team announced Bazemore would not return.
Morris needed help leaving the court following his injury earlier in the second period. He also didn’t return.
Schroder hurt his left elbow in Friday night’s loss at Indiana. The injury is not thought to be serious. Backup Malcolm Delaney (left ankle sprain) also did not play, leaving Isaiah Taylor, who had seven points and eight assists, to make his first career start.
Prince scored 10 of Atlanta’s first 19 points, including two early 3-pointers. The Hawks led 24-8, forcing Bulls coach Fred Holberg to call two early timeouts.
Chicago outscored Atlanta 33-16 in the second period to lead 53-50 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Bulls: C Robin Lopez started but played only in the first quarter, and G Justin Holiday was held out as Holberg said the team was ”taking it game by game” on lineups. Those two players were the focus of a reminder from the league to the team after the All-Star break about player rest and tanking. … The Bulls made 8 of 13 3s in the third quarter and 17 of 37 for the game.
Hawks: Morris was signed to a second 10-day contract after averaging 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in five games. He had four points in six minutes before his injury. … Josh Magette, on a two-way contract, played a career-high 22 minutes and had seven points with eight assists. … Prince made 7 of 13 3s. Muscala made five of six 3s.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host Clippers on Tuesday.
Hawks: Host Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
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