In Atlanta on Dec. 21, the Chicago Bulls (13-18) edged the Hawks (16-16) by a score of 110-108.
The Bulls' Ayo Dosunmu clinched the victory with a putback at the buzzerthe first game-winner of his NBA careeras Chicago won its second consecutive game, The Chicago Tribune noted. Coach Billy Donovan drew it up for DeMar DeRozan to take the game-winner, but the veteran shot an air ball. Dosunmu tracked down the rebound and put the shot back up.
It was clear this week could be the type of moment to make or break this Bulls team. Reports swirled of verbal altercations between players in the locker room after a Dec. 18 blowout loss in Minnesota.
DeRozan had 28 points, Zach LaVine finished with 22 points and Nikola Vucevic added 20.
The Bulls have one more road game Friday, Dec. 23, against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden before returning home.
At the United Center on Dec. 21, the Nashville Predators defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2.
It was Chicago's eighth consecutive loss. Chicago dropped to 3-18-4 in its last 25 games, ESPN noted.
Connor Murphy and MacKenzie Entwistle scored for the last-place Blackhawks, and Petr Mrazek made 33 saves.
Chicago will next host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, Dec. 23.