Coby White scored 31 of his 35 points after halftime as the Chicago Bulls overturned a 19-point deficit to defeat the host Sacramento Kings 128-116 on Thursday night.
White knocked down 13 of 14 free throws, while Kevin Huerter added 25 points — shooting 5 of 9 on 3-point attempts — seven assists and four steals for Chicago. Nikola Vucevic nailed 4 of 5 from downtown as he compiled 24 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
Malik Monk produced a season-high 34 points for Sacramento, sinking five 3-pointers. Trey Lyles contributed 22 points, making four 3-pointers, and DeMar DeRozan also finished with 22.
With 1:56 remaining in the third quarter, DeRozan connected on a trademark mid-range jumper to become the sixth active player and 27th in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points.
The Kings (35-34) were unstoppable from outside early as they built a healthy lead.
Monk buried five 3-pointers inside the opening 6:42, before Lyles hit 4 of 4 from downtown after subbing in with 4:45 left.
Sacramento hit 11 of 17 3-pointers among its 12 field goals to lead 39-28 after the opening quarter.
The home side’s advantage stretched to 59-40 in the second period as Chicago (30-40) struggled to find answers defensively.
But the Kings’ perimeter-shooting exhibition slowed and the Bulls attacked the paint through Vucevic at the other end, reducing the gap to 64-55 at halftime.
Chicago seized control in the third frame, outscoring Sacramento 37-25 to take a 92-89 lead into the last quarter.
Monk, Zach LaVine and Jake LaRavia kept the Kings within touching distance in the fourth, before a technical foul against Monk with 5:03 left triggered Chicago’s strong late flourish.
White continued to prove a menace from the outside and when attacking the cup, before consecutive Kevin Huerter 3-pointers in the space of 36 seconds ended Sacramento’s hopes.
–Field Level Media
