CHICAGO _ The Bulls needed one of those big moments they've talked about _ the kind that can make the difference between a win and loss _ and they got several of them Saturday night against the Clippers.
There was Wendell Carter Jr.'s put-back dunk with just over two minutes left when the Clippers were leading by five, followed by Zach LaVine's 3-pointer.
Those were equaled by Kris Dunn tapping an offensive rebound to Lauri Markkanen, who passed to Denzel Valentine for a 3-pointer that tied the score with 48 seconds to play.
But the best moment of all came from LaVine, who saw the lane clear out, drove and baited Montrezl Harrell into fouling him as he lofted a layup. That, the ensuing free throw and Paul George's missed 3-point attempt with two seconds left gave the Bulls a 109-106 victory.
LaVine scored a game-high 31 points, including four 3-pointers. Reserves Thaddeus Young and Valentine added 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Markkanen was active at the rim, grabbing 17 rebounds in a game-high 40 minutes a night after his near-15 minute absence against the Hornets prompted questions of coach Jim Boylen. Markkanen made 3 of 6 3-pointers and scored 13 points.
The short-handed Clippers were missing Kawhi Leonard, Lou Williams, JaMychal Green and Chicago native Patrick Beverley, who suffered a concussion earlier this week.
Harrell had 30 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, and George added 27 points and six assists. Both teams shot 45% from 3, with the Bulls going 14 for 31 and the Clippers 10 for 22.
The Bulls climbed back from a 15-point deficit to lead by 14 late in the third quarter, but Harrell and George led the Clippers back to a 91-91 tie with 7 minutes, 41 seconds left.
