In return, Zach LaVine helps the Bulls get past the Hawks

Zach LaVine returned to the lineup, scoring 18 points and sparking a late surge that helped the visiting Chicago Bulls overcome a 17-point second-half deficit and beat the Atlanta Hawks 125-113 on Saturday and thus end their four-game losing streak.

LaVine, who missed the last three games with a strained right adductor muscle, returned after a few minutes and shot 7 of 12 from the floor with seven assists. He scored two baskets during a 7-0 run and extended Chicago’s lead from one point to eight points late in the fourth quarter.

Chicago outscored the Hawks 35-15 in the fourth quarter. The teams will play again in Chicago on November 22nd.

The Bulls trailed 101-92 with 10:34 left, but outscored the Hawks 12-0. They took their first lead of the game on Jalen Smith’s dunk at 8:04 and increased it to 104-101 on a Patrick Williams runner with 7:04:35 left. Atlanta, already playing short-handed, ran out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back set.

The balanced Bulls had eight players score in double figures. Ayo Dosunmu had 19 points, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White each scored 18, Josh Giddey added 13 and Williams, Smith and Julian Phillips each scored 10. Vucevic added 12 rebounds.

The Hawks got 20 points each from Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela, who had nine rebounds. Zaccharie Risacher scored 17 and Trae Young had 14 points and 16 assists.

Atlanta led by 18 points after Keaton Wallace made a layup with 9:55 left in the first half to make it 44-26. The Bulls cut the lead in half by hitting three consecutive 3-pointers and got within eight points. Atlanta led 70-60 at halftime.

The Hawks led 77-60 with 10:08 left in the third, but the Bulls cut the lead to six points. Atlanta led 98-90 after three quarters.

Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, still dealing with knee pain, missed his ninth straight game to return home for the birth of his daughter.

–Field level media