Bulls’ reserves answer Suns’ late lead in 124-117 preseason win

Drew Peterson’s three-pointer started the closing rally, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns 124-117 on Wednesday at United Center. Chicago recovered from a 15-point deficit earlier in the game and answered Phoenix’s last lead with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter.

Caleb Wilson led the Bulls with 15 points in his preseason debut. Matas Buzelis, Norman Powell, Leonard Miller and Tobe Awaka each added 14, giving Chicago five players within a point of the team’s scoring lead. Awaka also collected 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.

Phoenix had opened strongly, scoring 40 points in the first quarter and taking a 64-62 lead into halftime. Dillon Brooks finished with 24 points on 7-for-9 shooting, made three of five threes and went 7-for-8 at the line. Devin Booker’s shooting was less productive: he finished 3-for-14 from the field and missed all eight three-point attempts, scoring 11 points.

Chicago edged ahead 93-90 after three quarters. Its younger players built the lead early in the fourth, with Dailyn Swain setting up baskets by Wilson and Awaka. Swain finished with 10 points and six assists, making all three of his field-goal attempts and all four free throws.

The Suns still had another rally. Pat Spencer’s three tied it at 106 with 5:25 remaining, and Jamaree Bouyea’s dunk put Phoenix ahead 108-106 at 4:42. Peterson answered 16 seconds later with a three, returning the lead to Chicago.

Noa Essengue followed with two free throws. Brandon Boston Jr., Awaka and Wilson then scored inside, taking the Bulls to a 117-108 advantage with 2:06 left. Chicago stayed in front through the final two minutes.

Miller supplied seven points over the final 1:09, including an alley-oop from Swain and a basket plus free throw with 0.7 seconds left. His 14 points came on 5-for-7 shooting in 14 minutes, finishing the work after the Bulls had regained control.

The final margin also reflected Chicago’s foul shooting. The Bulls made 28 of 32 free throws, while Phoenix was 26-for-34. Both teams committed plenty of turnovers: Chicago finished with 24 and Phoenix 26. That left a game with efficient stretches and repeated lost possessions across the changing preseason lineups.

Independent previews from Michael Walton and Bright Side of the Sun’s Mark Bowser had identified Chicago’s new combinations and Phoenix’s ball security as subjects to watch. Wednesday gave Wilson 29 minutes alongside an appearance by Powell, who made three of four threes in 14 minutes. Josh Giddey supplied seven assists.

For Phoenix, Jalen Green and Collin Gillespie each scored 12. Khaman Maluach added eight points, seven rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes. Chicago finished its opener 1-0; the Suns fell to 0-2 after Monday’s loss to Detroit.