Chicago BullsOpen full analysis
Oklahoma City ThunderOpen full analysis
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Chicago Bulls 131–113 on March 27 at Paycom Center, dominating the second half to secure a decisive 18-point victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 25 points, while Chet Wallace added 21 in a balanced offensive attack that shot 46.5 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers. Chicago's Collin Sexton and Talen Jones each scored 21 points, but the Bulls struggled with efficiency, connecting on just 41.8 percent of their attempts and committing 12 turnovers to OKC's nine. The Thunder's defensive presence was suffocating in the third quarter, holding Chicago to just 21 points as Oklahoma City outscored them 33–21 in that frame, a turning point that essentially decided the contest. OKC's 120.6 offensive rating and 103.4 defensive rating underscored their control, while the game fell well short of the 241.5 Vegas total, finishing at 244 combined points. The Thunder's balanced ball movement—29 assists and 58 rebounds—proved too much for a Bulls squad that couldn't sustain early momentum. This victory reinforces Oklahoma City's playoff positioning in a crowded Western Conference race.
