When Coby White drained a step-back three with 2:14 left in the fourth quarter, the crowd at Vivint Arena didn’t just groan — they started packing up. It wasn’t just another loss for the Utah Jazz. It was their 10th straight, a collapse so quiet it felt like watching a building slowly cave in. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls, who’d lost four in a row just days before, walked out of Salt Lake City with a 111-97 win that meant more than just a box score. It meant momentum. It meant belief. And for a franchise clinging to playoff hopes, it was the kind of road victory that can change a season’s trajectory.
White’s Breakout Night Sparks Bulls’ Turnaround
Coby White didn’t just score 26 points — he played like a man who’d been waiting for this moment all season. He attacked the rim, pulled up from deep, and even dished out four assists while guarding Utah’s most dangerous perimeter threats. His scoring came in bursts: seven in the first quarter, nine in the third, and then that dagger three in the fourth that sealed it. Tre Jones wasn’t far behind, turning in a near-double-double with 18 points and 12 assists — his best game since joining Chicago in the offseason. Together, they outplayed Utah’s backcourt, which looked lost under pressure.
The Jazz, meanwhile, were a mess. Lauri Markkanen, the Finnish forward who once starred for Chicago, scored 16 points but looked fatigued, his shot off rhythm. Isaiah Collier had eight assists and six rebounds, but his turnovers in crunch time were costly. And Walker Kessler, despite 12 rebounds and three blocks, couldn’t stop Chicago’s relentless drive to the basket. The Jazz’s defense, once among the league’s best, now looks like a team playing for draft position — and nothing else.
A Tale of Two Teams: One Rising, One Rebuilding
The Bulls’ record now stands at 29-39 — still below .500, but no longer dead in the water. Their road record improved to 16-17, a rare bright spot in a season that’s been full of frustration. This win snapped a four-game losing streak and gave them a glimmer of hope that they might sneak into the play-in tournament. The Jazz? They’re now 15-54. Ten straight losses. Eight wins at home all season. Their last victory came on March 5 against the Sacramento Kings — a game that now feels like a lifetime ago.
What’s striking is how quickly things flipped. Just four months ago, on November 16, 2024, the Jazz beat the Bulls 150-147 in double overtime at United Center. Markkanen dropped 47 points. Keyonte George hit a buzzer-beating three. Chicago’s Coby White had 27 points. It was a thriller. A classic. Now? The same two teams, same arena, same players — but a completely different story. The Bulls are fighting. The Jazz are just trying to survive.
Betting Lines and the Numbers That Tell the Real Story
The betting line had Chicago as 5-point underdogs — yes, underdogs — in their own building. The over/under was set at 241.5 points. The final score? 208. That’s not just a low-scoring game. That’s a defensive collapse by Utah’s standards. Bettors who took the Bulls to cover the spread walked away happy. Those who bet the under? Even happier. The odds on Chicago winning? -187. Meaning you had to risk $187 to win $100. That’s not a gamble. That’s a statement.
The Eastern Conference standings tell their own tale. Detroit leads with a 11-2 record. Cleveland’s hot. Milwaukee’s in the mix. And the Bulls? At 6-5 in their last 11 games, they’re suddenly relevant. In the West, Oklahoma City is untouchable. Denver’s rolling. But Utah? They’re 4-8 in conference play — and 0-10 since their last win. The gap between first and last isn’t just statistical. It’s emotional.
What’s Next? Road Trip, Playoff Hopes, and a Franchise at a Crossroads
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Bulls face the Phoenix Suns at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. A win there would give them five victories in six games — a run that could push them into serious play-in conversation. The Jazz, meanwhile, head to Washington to face the Wizards. No one expects them to win. And honestly? No one expects them to care anymore. Their season is over. The only thing left is the draft lottery — and the painful truth that this team, once considered a contender, is now a cautionary tale.
The twist? This wasn’t about star power. It wasn’t about big names. It was about effort. About discipline. About a team that refused to quit — even when the odds were stacked against them. The Bulls didn’t have a 30-point scorer. They didn’t have a 15-rebound game. They just played smarter. Harder. Together.
Background: From Double-Overtime Thriller to Season-Long Collapse
Remember that November game? The one where Markkanen went off for 47 and George’s three sent the crowd into a frenzy? That was the last time Utah looked like a team with a future. Since then, injuries piled up. Coaching changes came and went. The front office traded away veterans for future picks — and the result? A roster full of kids who don’t know how to close games. The Jazz have lost by double digits in eight of their last 10. They’ve been outscored by an average of 12.3 points per game over that stretch.
Chicago, on the other hand, has quietly rebuilt. They didn’t make headlines in the offseason. No splashy trades. No All-Stars. Just smart signings — Jones, a quiet playmaker from San Antonio; Buzelis, a high-IQ forward; and White, who’s finally living up to his draft hype. This win? It’s not a fluke. It’s the product of a slow, steady rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Coby White’s performance compare to his previous games this season?
Coby White’s 26-point outing was his highest scoring game since January and his first 25+ point game on the road this season. He’d averaged just 16.8 points per game in his previous five contests, often struggling with shot selection. This performance was his most efficient — shooting 10-of-18 from the field and 4-of-6 from three — signaling a potential breakout.
Why is the Utah Jazz’s 10-game losing streak so significant?
The Jazz’s 10-game skid is their longest since 2021 and the worst in the NBA this season. It’s also the longest active losing streak among teams that made the playoffs last year. With only 15 wins on the season, they’re on pace for one of the worst records in franchise history, raising serious questions about their rebuild strategy and front office direction.
What does this win mean for the Chicago Bulls’ playoff chances?
The Bulls are now 6.5 games behind the 8th-seeded Pacers in the East, but with 14 games left, they’re still mathematically alive. Their recent 4-1 record over the last five games — including wins over Atlanta and Utah — has them trending upward. If they can win at least six of their final 14, they’ll force a play-in conversation, especially if teams ahead of them stumble.
How has the Jazz’s home record contributed to their struggles?
Utah’s 8-26 home record is the worst in the NBA this season. Vivint Arena, once a fortress, now feels like a ghost town. Attendance has dropped 28% since last year, and the team has lost 11 straight home games since February 3. Without crowd energy, their young players look even more lost — especially in close games where experience matters.
What’s the historical context of this Bulls-Jazz matchup?
This was the second meeting between the two teams this season. In November, Utah won 150-147 in double overtime — one of the highest-scoring games in NBA history. Coby White scored 27 in that game, but Chicago lost despite six players scoring in double figures. The March 17 win marks the first time since 2022 that the Bulls have beaten the Jazz in Salt Lake City, breaking a three-game road losing streak to them.
Who’s next for the Bulls and Jazz after this game?
The Bulls face the Phoenix Suns on March 19 at 10:00 PM ET — a tough test against a top-5 Western Conference team. The Jazz visit the Washington Wizards the same night at 9:00 PM ET. Washington, at 22-45, is also out of playoff contention, making this a classic ‘tanking vs. fighting’ matchup — and one that could define the rest of Utah’s season.
