NBA: AJ Griffin’s twisting buzzer-beater caps Hawks’ wild win over Bulls
FILE – AJ Griffin #14 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts with Jarrett Culver #7 after shooting three-point basket over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at State Farm Arena on December 02, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
AJ Griffin scored on a twisting lob at the overtime buzzer to give the Atlanta Hawks a stunning 123-122 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls on Sunday, ending their three-game losing streak in wild fashion.
With 0.5 seconds left, Jalen Johnson inbounded the ball to Griffin in the lane for the winning flip. Griffin, who initially had his back to the basket, caught the pass in mid-air and converted the acrobatic bucket before getting mobbed by his teammates.
AJ GRIFFIN STRIKES AGAIN FOR THE @ATLHawks WIN #TissotBuzzerBeater #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/f5GR7giEmC
— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2022
It was the third lead change in the final second. Trae Young hit a step-back jumper from the top of the key with 2.1 seconds left to put Atlanta ahead 121-119. After Chicago called a timeout with one second left, Bogdan Bogdanovic fouled DeMar DeRozan on a 3-point shot with 0.5 seconds left and he made all three free throws to put the Bulls ahead 122-121.
Following a timeout, the Hawks opted to use Johnson as the triggerman instead of Young, who was an effective decoy and drew the defense away to allow the ball to reach Griffin. The play stood after a review showed the shot had beaten the buzzer.
The Bulls had a chance to win the game in regulation. Derrick Jones Jr. was fouled with 0.4 seconds left and made the first free throw before missing the second. Bogdanovic grabbed the rebound to send the game to overtime, tied 110-110.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1602151166393163777?s=20&t=3h_VOg5Zqge1gTOEuX8iLg
Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 28 points, including 17 in the first half and five in overtime. Young had 19 points and 14 assists, Clint Capela had 15 points and 14 rebounds and Griffin scored 17 points.
DeRozan finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, and Zach LaVine added 21 points for Chicago. Jones and Andre Drummond both scored 14.
The Bulls lost Ayo Dosunmu in the first half when he suffered an abdominal contusion.
The Hawks outscored the Bulls 36-23 in the second quarter, with Bogdanovic scoring 12 points, and took a 58-50 lead into halftime. Atlanta stretched the lead to as much as 12 points at 75-63 and led 85-78 after three quarters.
