Markkanen scores 32, Bulls beat Magic 90-80
By MICHAL DWOJAK
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) -- Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 32 points and the Chicago Bulls won for just the third time in 15 games, beating the Orlando Magic 90-80 on Friday night.
Markkanen was 12 for 20 from the field in his 10th game since missing the start of the season with a right elbow injury. The 7-footer also went 4 for 6 from beyond the arc.
Robin Lopez had 14 points for Chicago, and Justin Holiday had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Orlando lost for the fifth time in its last seven games. Evan Fournier scored 24 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 19 points and 19 rebounds after missing a game for the birth of his son.
Markkanen hit the 30-point mark for the third time in his career. He shook off a slow start after taking just six shots in a 96-93 loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday.
He had the crowd roaring in the third quarter when he drove for a hard dunk on Vucevic.
The Bulls led by as many as 15. Vucevic's turnaround jumper got Orlando within five with 1:37 remaining, but Markkanen hit a jumper and two foul shots to help seal the game for Chicago.
TIP-INS
Magic: F Jonathan Simmons was sidelined by a sprained right ankle. He was injured Wednesday against San Antonio.
Bulls: F Jabari Parker (stomach illness) hopes to return Sunday at Cleveland after missing his fourth straight game. He was still experiencing fatigue and believes he would benefit from another practice before rejoining the rotation. "When I come in, I want to contribute," Parker said. "I hold myself to a high standard, and I'm gonna try to do my best to contribute to the team." ... F Bobby Portis said it's "not tough at all" to remain patient as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle. He also dismissed the idea that the banged-up Bulls are snake-bitten. "I wouldn't say that," he said. ... G Cameron Payne sat out with a strained calf.
UP NEXT
Magic: Host Miami on Sunday.
Bulls: Visit Cleveland on Sunday.