The Portland Trail Blazers came into Chicago and left with a convincing 121-112 victory over the Bulls on Thursday night at the United Center, improving to 29-31 on the season. After surrendering the first quarter, Portland responded with a decisive second-quarter surge that proved to be the difference, with Jerami Grant leading the charge and the Trail Blazers’ frontcourt controlling the glass throughout the night.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Q1: Bulls Lead Early — CHI 34, POR 32
Chicago came out with energy at home, building a two-point advantage after the first 12 minutes. The Bulls were active in the paint and pushed tempo, giving the sellout crowd of 18,516 fans early reasons to cheer. Portland kept pace but couldn’t quite match the Bulls’ early rhythm, trailing by two heading into the second quarter.
Q2: Blazers Take Control — POR 37, CHI 29
The second quarter was where the game turned. Portland outscored Chicago 37-29, swinging the halftime margin significantly in the Trail Blazers’ favor. The Blazers found their offensive groove, getting to the free-throw line and generating quality looks in transition. Chicago’s defense, which had been solid in the first quarter, struggled to contain Portland’s movement and second-chance opportunities, as the Blazers’ rebounding advantage began to show.
Q3: Portland Holds Steady — POR 24, CHI 23
Both teams slowed down offensively in the third quarter, but Portland maintained its advantage with a narrow 24-23 edge. Chicago made a push to cut into the deficit but couldn’t string together enough stops to mount a serious comeback. The Trail Blazers’ composure on the road was on full display as they managed the quarter without expanding or surrendering their lead.
Q4: Blazers Close It Out — POR 28, CHI 26
Chicago attempted one final push in the fourth quarter, but Portland’s 28-26 edge in the final period sealed the deal. The Bulls never found the defensive stops or offensive runs necessary to threaten the lead in the closing minutes, and the Trail Blazers walked away with a clean nine-point road victory.
Key Performers
Jerami Grant — Portland Trail Blazers (F)
Grant was Portland’s engine on Thursday night, finishing as the game’s top scorer with 27 points. He earned the night’s highest overall rating among all players and was consistently productive when the Blazers needed a bucket. His ability to create his own shot and draw fouls gave Portland a reliable offensive option in every quarter.
Robert Williams III — Portland Trail Blazers (C)
Williams III was a force on the glass, hauling in a game-high 14 rebounds to anchor Portland’s frontcourt dominance. The Trail Blazers finished with 45 total rebounds compared to Chicago’s 41, and Williams III’s effort was a central reason why. His presence in the paint limited second-chance points for Chicago while providing Portland with repeated extra possessions.
Jrue Holiday — Portland Trail Blazers (G)
Holiday ran the offense efficiently from the point guard position, distributing 7 assists to pace Portland’s playmakers. His veteran poise helped the Trail Blazers navigate Chicago’s defensive pressure, particularly in the second quarter when Portland began to pull away.
Matas Buzelis — Chicago Bulls (F)
Buzelis was Chicago’s leading scorer with 20 points, providing a consistent offensive presence for the Bulls throughout the evening. The young forward showed flashes of his offensive potential and gave Chicago its best individual performance of the night.
Josh Giddey — Chicago Bulls (G)
Giddey was Chicago’s most complete contributor, posting 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists — earning the Bulls’ highest game rating. He was a step away from a triple-double and did his best to keep Chicago’s offense flowing with nearly a full complement of assists. Despite his efforts, the Bulls couldn’t convert enough of those opportunities into wins.
Nick Richards — Chicago Bulls (C)
Richards grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Chicago on the boards, recording a double-figure rebounding night that kept the Bulls competitive in that category. However, Portland’s collective rebounding advantage — led by Williams III — still proved decisive over the full 48 minutes.
Game Analysis
The box score tells a clear story: Portland won this game at the free-throw line and on the glass. The Trail Blazers went 27-of-31 from the charity stripe (87.1%), compared to Chicago’s 23-of-30 (76.7%). That efficient free-throw shooting more than compensated for Portland’s lower field-goal percentage — 44.2% compared to Chicago’s solid 50.0% from the floor.
Chicago’s shooting efficiency was actually the superior mark on paper. The Bulls converted on half of their 80 field-goal attempts, a respectable showing. But Portland attempted 95 field goals to Chicago’s 80 — a significant volume advantage driven largely by offensive rebounding and getting to the line more. The Blazers also launched 46 three-point attempts, making just 10 (21.7%), indicating they were not reliant on the perimeter to win this game. Their ability to generate trips to the line and control the backboards compensated for a below-average shooting night from deep.
Chicago’s 29 assists on 40 made field goals reflects a team that moves the ball well, and Giddey’s 9 assists underscore that. But the Bulls’ inability to slow Portland’s transition opportunities and second-chance points in the second quarter ultimately decided the outcome. The 37-29 second-quarter deficit proved too deep to fully overcome.
Standings and Implications
With the win, Portland improves to 29-31 overall (13-16 on the road), keeping their playoff or play-in hopes alive heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Trail Blazers have now shown they can pick up wins in hostile road environments, and Jerami Grant’s continued strong play gives them a credible offensive anchor. For Chicago, the loss drops them to 24-36 overall (15-17 at home), a tough result in a game where they shot 50% from the field. The Bulls will need to find more consistency on the defensive end if they hope to salvage any positioning in the Eastern Conference standings as the season winds down.
