Tre Jones scored 31 points, Collin Sexton had 27 and Leonard Miller recorded a career-high 26, fueling the visiting Chicago Bulls to a 119-108 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
Jones sank 9 of 14 shots from the floor and all 12 of his attempts from the free-throw line for the Bulls (31-49), who rode a strong finish to the third quarter en route to defeating the Wizards for the second time in three days. Chicago snapped a seven-game losing skid with a 129-98 victory over Washington on Tuesday.
Miller, who made 11 of 14 shots from the floor, added 11 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games.
The Bulls enjoyed a 68-50 edge in points in the paint and 26-18 advantage in fast-break points.
Washington rookie Will Riley collected 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Julian Reese recorded 16 points and 15 boards.
Leaky Black and Anthony Gill each scored 14 points for the undermanned Wizards (17-63), who dressed the league-minimum eight players on Thursday. The end result essentially was the same for Washington, which lost for the 24th time in 25 games.
Jamir Watkins drained a 3-pointer to pull Washington within one at 71-70 with 4:03 remaining in the third before Chicago ignited a 16-4 run to end the quarter. The Bulls made three straight layups to start the surge, and Jones capped it after converting at the rim following a behind-the-back pass from Rob Dillingham.
The Wizards trimmed their deficit to 10 points at 103-93 with 6:25 to play in the fourth quarter after Justin Champagnie drained a 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run.
Sexton’s layup halted that surge, and the Bulls kept the Wizards at bay before Patrick Williams sank a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 117-98.
Prior to the game, Wizards coach Brian Keefe announced forward Alex Sarr is likely done for the season because of a toe injury,
Chicago’s Guerschon Yabusele sustained a sprained left shoulder in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
