Dramatic Buzzer-Beater Seals Bulls Victory
In an electrifying NBA matchup that kept Filipino basketball fans on the edge of their seats, Nikola Vucevic delivered a game-winning three-pointer as time expired to propel the Chicago Bulls to a heart-stopping 122-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The thrilling conclusion unfolded on Thursday morning, November 20, 2025, Philippine time, providing early-rising sports enthusiasts with unforgettable basketball drama.
Fourth Quarter Collapse and Stunning Recovery
The Bulls appeared to be cruising toward a comfortable victory after establishing what seemed like an insurmountable 21-point lead in the final quarter. However, the Trail Blazers mounted an incredible comeback that nearly snatched victory from Chicago's grasp.
Portland's resurgence was spearheaded by Deni Avdija, who tied the game at 116 with a clutch three-pointer, followed by Donovan Clingan scoring four consecutive points to give the Blazers a 120-116 advantage in the closing minute. This remarkable turnaround capped off a devastating 31-7 scoring run that left Bulls fans in disbelief.
Clutch Performances Define Nail-Biting Finish
Just when the game seemed lost, Chicago's Coby White answered with a critical three-pointer with only 9.1 seconds remaining, bringing the Bulls within one point at 120-119. After Portland's Jerami Grant could only convert one of two free throws, White found Vucevic open beyond the arc for the game-deciding shot that secured the dramatic win.
Vucevic finished as Chicago's top scorer with 27 points, while White contributed significantly off the bench with 25 points. For the struggling Trail Blazers, Grant led all scorers with an impressive 33-point performance, but his efforts weren't enough to prevent Portland's fourth consecutive defeat and sixth loss in their last seven outings.
The victory provided Chicago with back-to-back wins following their 130-127 triumph over Denver that ended a five-game losing streak. The Bulls had taken control of the game early in the second quarter, entering halftime with a 62-58 advantage.
Around the NBA: Other Notable Results
In other NBA action that captured the attention of basketball followers in the Philippines:
- New York Knicks 113, Dallas Mavericks 111: Jalen Brunson returned from a two-game absence to score 28 points, while Landry Shamet hit two late three-pointers and drew a crucial charging foul with 0.7 seconds remaining.
- Additional results: Toronto defeated Philadelphia 121-112, Indiana Pacers topped Charlotte Hornets 127-118, Houston downed Cleveland 114-104, Miami Heat defeated Golden State Warriors 110-96, Denver won 125-118 in New Orleans, Oklahoma City Thunder beat Sacramento Kings 113-99, and Minnesota Timberwolves held off Washington Wizards 120-109.
The NBA continues to deliver thrilling basketball action for fans across the Philippines, with early morning games providing exciting starts to the day for sports enthusiasts throughout the archipelago.
