The Orlando Magic player, Nikola Vucevic, was one of the great stars of the night, collecting 43 points and 19 rebounds in the win over the Chicago Bulls by 119 to 123.
The Montenegrin center achieved his NBA career scoring record and also entered the history books of the Florida franchise by being the third player to achieve a 43-19 in an official game along with other illustrious interiors such as Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard .
Vucevic scored 13 of the Magic’s first 15 points; recorded his new top scorer from the free throw with 2.6 seconds remaining; and completed a stat sheet of 17/29 in field goals and 4/10 in triples.
“I have felt very good to have a new record being a victory for us because the last time I got it we lost,” he admitted to the media. ESPN. “It’s much better when you win because you enjoy it more. I am very happy for this victory because I think we have tried hard ”, he added.
For their part, the Bulls scored a 29-15 run in the final period to tie the game, but their effort was not enough to avoid their second consecutive loss and the fifth in the last six games they have played.
Guard Zach LaVine recovered from a slow start to finish with 26 points and 8 assists; and rookie Patrick Williams set his career record with 20 tallies; to which he added 7 rebounds, 1 block and 2 steals.
“Zach has played well, but to be aggressive, not just scoring and shooting, but when we go uphill. We need more of that, ”admitted his coach Billy Donovan.
Other Magic highlights were Evan Fournier, who had 20 points; rookie Cole Anthony had 17 points and 9 assists; and James Ennis III closed with 14.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
