The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks — both owners of bottom-five records — somehow just played the most incredible game of the NBA season.
In four overtimes, the Bulls came out on top 168-161 in Atlanta. Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with a career-high 47 points in 56 minutes. The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion showed he still has ridiculous bounce, even after tearing his ACL in 2017.
ZACH LAVINE IS INSANE… and so is this game pic.twitter.com/euUfvmzoeN
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 2, 2019
This highly difficult shot from LaVine served as the dagger in the final seconds (of the fourth overtime):
Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter Jr. each added 31 points for Chicago.
For Atlanta, Trae Young showed why he was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The rookie point guard scored a game-high 49 points and had 16 assists (though nine turnovers as well). He’s the first rookie since some guy named Michael Jordan to score 45 points and record 10 assists in a game.
Trae Young is the first rookie with 45 pts, 10 ast since Michael Jordan. Wow.
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 2, 2019
It appeared this three-pointer from Young with 2.2 seconds left in regulation would serve as the game-winner.
Trae Young is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/5u7ig6NYJg
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 2, 2019
That was before Porter was fouled shooting a three-pointer, and drained all three free throws to send the game to overtime.
Otto Porter Jr. fouled on this… and of course, he's Otto-matic from the line 🔥
Overtime coming right now on @NBCSChicago. Stream: https://t.co/8WhXO12Awb pic.twitter.com/Ysbo3d6g4j
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 2, 2019
The game even included 42-year-old Vince Carter playing 45 minutes and throwing down a dunk.
Vince Carter dunking on father time pic.twitter.com/Iravpjqyb0
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 2, 2019
The 329 combined points make this the third-highest scoring game in NBA history.
At 329 combined points, Bulls-Hawks finished as the 3rd highest scoring game in NBA history.
Pistons-Nuggets in 1983 (370 points) and Bucks-Spurs in 1982 (337 points) are the only 2 games with more points than tonight's game in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/DZKNvaFj9W
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 2, 2019
It’s the 15th quadruple overtime game in NBA history.
This is the 15th quadruple (or more) overtime game in NBA history. Each of the last three have involved either Atlanta or Chicago. The last one was on Jan. 29, 2017 (Knicks at Hawks). The record for overtimes in a game is six.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 2, 2019
Both teams set franchise records for points scored.
The Bulls and Hawks both set franchise records for post scored and points allowed. What a game.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) March 2, 2019
What a highly unlikely amazing basketball game. Oh, and these teams play each other again on Sunday afternoon in Chicago.
[Photo Credit: @ChicagoBulls]
