Cedric Coward scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and hit two clutch free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining as the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Chicago Bulls 125-124 on Saturday night, snapping a five-game losing streak. Tyler Burton added 18 points and Jahmai Mashack contributed 17 for Memphis.
Chicago threatened in the final seconds, with Josh Giddey making two free throws with 4 seconds left to pull the Bulls within a point. However, the Bulls could not get a shot off after Memphis turned the ensuing inbound pass. Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 29 points, while Collin Sexton added 26 off the bench. Giddey recorded his 13th triple-double of the season, finishing with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to extend the Bulls’ streak.
The game was tight from start to finish, with neither team able to build a comfortable lead. Memphis stretched its largest advantage to 98-88 entering the fourth quarter, but Chicago fought back behind Giddey and Sexton. Both teams were playing the second night of back-to-back games after losses on Friday—Chicago at Oklahoma City and Memphis hosting Houston—and both rested several key players. Chicago had nine players sidelined, while Memphis was without 11.
Shooting from beyond the arc was a struggle for both sides early. Four minutes before halftime, the teams combined to go just 5-for-28 from 3-point range, leading to a slower, more isolation-heavy style of play. Despite the challenges, Coward’s late free throws and timely scoring from Burton and Mashack carried the Grizzlies to a narrow win.
Up next: Chicago travels to face the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, while Memphis hosts the Phoenix Suns on the same night.
