----- Nikola Vucevic finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds and Coby White added 31 points and seven rebounds as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 118-113 Friday night at United Center in Chicago, IL.
Trail Blazers hopes for the play-in tournament end Friday night in Chicago!
Nikola Vucevic finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds and Coby White added 31 points and seven assists as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 118-113 Friday night at United Center in Chicago.
With the loss and Sacramento's win at Charlotte, Portland's chances of reaching the final play-in spot in the Western Conference became bleak with just four-games to play.
Deni Avdija led Portland (34-44) with a game-high 37 points. He added 11 rebounds and five assists. Dalano Banton got the start in place of Anfernee Simons (Forearm Contusion), he finished with 21 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
The Trail Blazers played without Simons, Toumani Camara, and Scoot Henderson.
The Trail Blazers led by two at halftime, but the Bulls used a 24-10 third quarter run to build a 92-83 lead entering the fourth. After Chicago pushed their lead to 15 in the fourth, Portland responded with a 15-2 run to cut the deficit to two at 108-106 with 2:45 to play.
The Trail Blazers couldn't get over the hump and the Bulls held on for the win.
Portland made 38% of their shots including just 11-of-42 from three-point range. Chicago was +12 from the free throw line.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers return home to meet the San Antonio Spurs Sunday at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Dreams of making the play-in are over.