SportyTV | NBA: Bulls defeat 76ers for fifth straight win

Jalen Smith sparked a game-ending run with a thunderous dunk on Joel Embiid, and the Chicago Bulls matched a season high with their fifth straight win, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 109-102 on Friday night.

The Bulls scored the final 10 points of the game, starting with Smith’s driving dunk. Tre Jones and Zach Collins each had 15 points, and Coby White scored 13, helping the Bulls match their best streak since a 5-0 start. They also evened their record at 15-15.

Embiid led Philadelphia with 31 points and Tyrese Maxey scored 27 with five 3-pointers. Paul George shook off a slow start to finish with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, but the 76ers lost for the fourth time in as many games this season with their three stars in the lineup.

The Sixers led 102-99 after Embiid backed in with 2:45 remaining, but that was all the scoring for them. Smith then drove the baseline and dunked on a rotating Embiid with about 2:30 left, bringing the crowd to its feet.

White then nailed a step back 3, drawing more roars, and Jones hit a reverse layup. After a driving Maxey got blocked by Nikola Vucevic, Jones tracked down a loose ball and laid it in with 47 seconds left. He added a free throw with 17 seconds remaining.

Ended the game on a 10-0 run https://t.co/d0Z5IcKMLM pic.twitter.com/sBUTUoE3U5
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2025

Hornets rookie Knueppel injured in win

LaMelo Ball had 22 points and seven rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Orlando Magic 120-105 after losing rookie forward Kon Knueppel to a right ankle injury in the first half.

The Hornets had a 57-48 lead in the final seconds of the first half when Knueppel, who ranks second among NBA rookies in scoring and 3-point shooting, went down with the injury. He scored 16 points, all in the first quarter, while making all four of his 3-point shots. Hornets coach Charles Lee said X-rays on Knueppel's ankle were negative, and he would be evaluated again when the team returns to Charlotte.

Miles Bridges had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets and Moussa Diabate added 10 points and 13 rebounds. Charlotte shot 19 for 39 (48.7%) from 3-point range and led by 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Anthony Black led Orlando with 24 points. Desmond Bane added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and eight rebounds.

hornets magic in orlando #HiveMentality | VOTE https://t.co/LAhI0R67d2 pic.twitter.com/tZyw8aIz6S
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 27, 2025

George’s late hoop lifts Jazz over Pistons

Keyonte George scored 31 points and hit a floater in the lane with 2.1 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz snapped a four-game losing streak with a 131-129 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Cade Cunningham, who had 29 points and 17 assists, missed a contested shot at the buzzer and then had a long conversation with the officials before leaving the court. Cunningham had a personal best 13 assists in the first half.

Lauri Markkanen scored 30 points and Brice Sensabaugh equalled his season high of 20 points filling in for Ace Bailey, who missed the second half with a hip injury.

Tobias Harris had 16 points for the Pistons, who lost for just the second time in their last nine games despite shooting 52.2% from the field and making 18 of 37 from 3-point range.