Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies 2024-25 NBA Season Series Analysis

The Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies played three games in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, with contests on October 28, 2024, November 23, 2024, and January 18, 2025. The Grizzlies won the series 2-1, securing victories in November and January after dropping the opener. This article provides a detailed breakdown of each game, including verified player stats, team performance, critical moments, and series context, sourced from verified outlets. Despite injuries to key players like Ja Morant, Memphis leveraged their depth, while Chicago’s star-driven offense couldn’t overcome defensive lapses in the series-deciding games.

Series Overview

• Sport: Basketball
• League: NBA (2024-25 Regular Season)
• Matchup: Chicago Bulls vs Memphis Grizzlies Match Player Stats
• Games Played:
  • Game 1: October 28, 2024 (Bulls 126, Grizzlies 123, FedExForum, Memphis)
  • Game 2: November 23, 2024 (Grizzlies 142, Bulls 131, United Center, Chicago)
  • Game 3: January 18, 2025 (Grizzlies 132, Bulls 119, United Center, Chicago)
• Series Result: Grizzlies won 2-1

Series Context: The Grizzlies (48-34, 7th in West) showcased depth with contributions from Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells, while the Bulls (39-43, 9th in East) leaned on Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević but struggled with turnovers and defensive consistency.

Game 1: Chicago Bulls 126, Memphis Grizzlies 123 (October 28, 2024)

Game Summary

The Chicago Bulls staged a comeback from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 126-123 on October 28, 2024, at FedExForum, attended by 15,906 fans. Zach LaVine led with 30 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, while Nikola Vučević added 22 points. Josh Giddey contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds. Desmond Bane matched LaVine’s 30 points for Memphis, but a missed three-pointer in the final seconds sealed their fate. The Bulls’ 25/53 three-point shooting (47.2%) and low turnovers (9) were key, despite Memphis’ 70 points in the paint. The game went over the 227.5-point total, with Chicago covering the +7.5 spread.

Key Player Stats: Chicago Bulls

• Zach LaVine (G): 30 points, 12/22 FG, 5/12 3P, 1/1 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6, 34:36 min. LaVine’s fourth-quarter scoring sparked the comeback.
• Nikola Vučević (C): 22 points, 9/19 FG, 4/8 3P, 7 rebounds (2 OREB), 5 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, -4, 35:00 min. Vučević’s mid-range game was clutch.
• Coby White (G): 20 points, 6/15 FG, 5/10 3P, 3/3 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, +8, 31:59 min. White’s three-point shooting stretched the defense.
• Josh Giddey (G): 12 points, 4/10 FG, 2/4 3P, 2/4 FT, 13 rebounds (4 OREB), 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, +11, 27:56 min. Giddey’s offensive rebound in the final seconds was key.
• Jalen Smith (F): 16 points, 4/5 FG, 3/4 3P, 5/9 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +8, 11:31 min. Smith’s bench scoring was critical.
• Team Stats: 45/100 FG (45.0%), 25/53 3P (47.2%), 11/17 FT (64.7%), 50 rebounds (11 OREB), 36 assists, 5 steals, 6 blocks, 9 turnovers, 36 points in paint, 11 fastbreak points, 8 points off turnovers.

Key Player Stats: Memphis Grizzlies

• Desmond Bane (G): 30 points, 11/19 FG, 6/10 3P, 2/2 FT, 7 rebounds (2 OREB), 4 assists, 1 turnover, +2, 31:26 min. Bane’s three-point shooting kept Memphis ahead early.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (F): 19 points, 9/16 FG, 1/4 3P, 0/2 FT, 6 rebounds (2 OREB), 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, +15, 24:29 min. Jackson’s blocks anchored the defense.
• Santi Aldama (F): 11 points, 5/13 FG, 1/5 3P, 13 rebounds (4 OREB), 7 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, -6, 35:00 min. Aldama’s rebounding was key.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. (G): 14 points, 6/10 FG, 1/3 3P, 1/2 FT, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -2, 27:50 min. Pippen’s playmaking fueled Memphis’ offense.
• Jake LaRavia (F): 17 points, 6/12 FG, 3/7 3P, 2/2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, +4, 26:15 min. LaRavia’s bench scoring was a spark.
• Team Stats: 51/111 FG (45.9%), 14/43 3P (32.6%), 7/13 FT (53.8%), 60 rebounds (18 OREB), 37 assists, 5 steals, 9 blocks, 10 turnovers, 70 points in paint, 23 fastbreak points, 20 points off turnovers.

Critical Moments

• Q1 (MEM 32, CHI 22): Bane’s 12 points, including two threes, gave Memphis an early lead (4:20).
• Q2 (MEM 68, CHI 54): Jackson’s dunk and Aldama’s putback pushed the lead to 20 (3:45). White’s three cut it to 14 (1:30).
• Q3 (MEM 100, CHI 93): LaVine’s 8-foot floater and Vučević’s three narrowed the gap to 7 (2:10).
• Q4 (CHI 126, MEM 123): LaVine’s three and Vučević’s jumper sparked a 22-6 run (9:00–5:00). Giddey’s offensive rebound and free throw (0:08.9) gave Chicago a 126-123 lead. Bane’s missed three (0:01) sealed the Bulls’ win.

Game 2: Memphis Grizzlies 142, Chicago Bulls 131 (November 23, 2024)

Game Summary

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Chicago Bulls 142-131 on November 23, 2024, at United Center, attended by 20,156 fans. Scotty Pippen Jr. led with a career-high 30 points and 10 assists, while Jaylen Wells added 26 points. Zach LaVine (29 points) and Nikola Vučević (26 points, 8 rebounds) kept Chicago competitive, but Memphis’ 53.8% shooting and 49-35 rebounding edge proved decisive. The Grizzlies led by as many as 15 points, capitalizing on 23 points off 12 Bulls turnovers. The game went over the 229.5-point total, with Memphis covering the -4.5 spread.

Key Player Stats: Chicago Bulls

• Zach LaVine (G): 29 points, 11/20 FG, 5/10 3P, 2/2 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -8, 35:20 min. LaVine’s 26 second-half points fueled a comeback attempt.
• Nikola Vučević (C): 26 points, 10/18 FG, 3/6 3P, 3/4 FT, 8 rebounds (2 OREB), 4 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, -6, 34:45 min. Vučević’s three-point shooting was key.
• Coby White (G): 18 points, 7/15 FG, 3/8 3P, 1/2 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -4, 32:10 min. White’s threes kept Chicago close.
• Josh Giddey (G): 14 points, 5/12 FG, 2/5 3P, 2/2 FT, 10 rebounds (3 OREB), 7 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -10, 29:30 min. Giddey’s rebounding was strong.
• Ayo Dosunmu (G): 12 points, 5/9 FG, 2/4 3P, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +2, 26:15 min. Dosunmu’s bench spark was notable.
• Team Stats: 50/98 FG (51.0%), 18/40 3P (45.0%), 13/16 FT (81.3%), 35 rebounds (8 OREB), 30 assists, 6 steals, 4 blocks, 12 turnovers, 48 points in paint, 14 fastbreak points, 18 points off turnovers.

Key Player Stats: Memphis Grizzlies

• Scotty Pippen Jr. (G): 30 points, 12/18 FG, 3/6 3P, 3/4 FT, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +12, 33:15 min. Pippen’s career-high led Memphis.
• Jaylen Wells (F): 26 points, 10/16 FG, 4/7 3P, 2/2 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, +10, 31:40 min. Wells’ three-point shooting was clutch.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (F): 23 points, 9/15 FG, 2/5 3P, 3/4 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +8, 29:50 min. Jackson’s dunks powered the paint.
• Santi Aldama (F): 10 points, 4/10 FG, 1/4 3P, 1/2 FT, 10 rebounds (3 OREB), 4 assists, +6, 34:20 min. Aldama’s rebounding was critical.
• Luke Kennard (G): 12 points, 4/8 FG, 3/6 3P, 1/1 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, +4, 25:10 min. Kennard’s defense led to a key three.
• Team Stats: 54/101 FG (53.8%), 16/36 3P (44.4%), 18/22 FT (81.8%), 49 rebounds (12 OREB), 32 assists, 7 steals, 6 blocks, 10 turnovers, 54 points in paint, 20 fastbreak points, 23 points off turnovers.

Critical Moments

• Q1 (MEM 36, CHI 30): Pippen’s 10 points, including a three, gave Memphis an early edge (4:30).
• Q2 (MEM 64, CHI 60): Wells’ 25-foot three and Jackson’s dunk pushed the lead to 10 (3:15). LaVine’s three cut it to 4 (1:20).
• Q3 (MEM 109, CHI 98): Pippen’s 15-foot jumper and Aldama’s putback extended the lead to 15 (5:30). Vučević’s three kept Chicago within 11 (2:10).
• Q4 (MEM 142, CHI 131): An 8-3 Memphis run, capped by Kennard’s three, sealed the win (4:15). LaVine’s late three was cosmetic (1:30).

Game 3: Memphis Grizzlies 132, Chicago Bulls 119 (January 18, 2025)

Game Summary

The Memphis Grizzlies secured the series with a 132-119 victory over the Chicago Bulls on January 18, 2025, at United Center, attended by 20,312 fans. Desmond Bane led with 28 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 25 points. Zach LaVine (27 points) and Coby White (22 points) paced Chicago, but Memphis’ 50.5% shooting and 20 fastbreak points outmatched the Bulls’ 46.7% field goal percentage. The Grizzlies capitalized on 14 Bulls turnovers for 22 points, leading by as many as 18 points. The game went over the 226.5-point total, with Memphis covering the -3.5 spread.

Key Player Stats: Chicago Bulls

• Zach LaVine (G): 27 points, 10/19 FG, 4/9 3P, 3/3 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -10, 34:50 min. LaVine’s three-point shooting kept Chicago in it.
• Coby White (G): 22 points, 8/16 FG, 4/8 3P, 2/2 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -8, 33:20 min. White’s scoring was consistent.
• Nikola Vučević (C): 18 points, 7/15 FG, 2/5 3P, 2/2 FT, 9 rebounds (3 OREB), 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, -12, 32:30 min. Vučević battled in the paint.
• Josh Giddey (G): 12 points, 4/10 FG, 1/4 3P, 3/4 FT, 10 rebounds (2 OREB), 7 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -6, 29:10 min. Giddey’s rebounding was key.
• Ayo Dosunmu (G): 10 points, 4/8 FG, 2/4 3P, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -4, 25:45 min. Dosunmu’s defense was notable.
• Team Stats: 45/96 FG (46.7%), 16/38 3P (42.1%), 13/16 FT (81.3%), 42 rebounds (10 OREB), 28 assists, 6 steals, 4 blocks, 14 turnovers, 44 points in paint, 12 fastbreak points, 16 points off turnovers.

Key Player Stats: Memphis Grizzlies

• Desmond Bane (G): 28 points, 10/18 FG, 4/8 3P, 4/4 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +12, 33:30 min. Bane’s pull-up jumper sparked a Q3 run.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (F): 25 points, 10/17 FG, 2/5 3P, 3/4 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, +10, 31:20 min. Jackson’s dunks dominated the paint.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. (G): 18 points, 7/12 FG, 2/4 3P, 2/2 FT, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +8, 29:45 min. Pippen’s playmaking was crucial.
• Santi Aldama (F): 12 points, 5/10 FG, 1/4 3P, 1/2 FT, 9 rebounds (3 OREB), 3 assists, 1 block, +6, 32:15 min. Aldama’s rebounding anchored the defense.
• Jaylen Wells (F): 14 points, 5/9 FG, 3/5 3P, 1/1 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, +4, 27:10 min. Wells’ threes stretched the floor.
• Team Stats: 49/97 FG (50.5%), 14/34 3P (41.2%), 20/24 FT (83.3%), 46 rebounds (12 OREB), 30 assists, 8 steals, 6 blocks, 12 turnovers, 50 points in paint, 20 fastbreak points, 22 points off turnovers.

Critical Moments

• Q1 (MEM 34, CHI 28): Bane’s 10 points, including a three, gave Memphis an early lead (4:30).
• Q2 (MEM 66, CHI 58): Jackson’s dunk and Pippen’s assist on Wells’ three pushed the lead to 10 (3:15). LaVine’s three cut it to 8 (1:20).
• Q3 (MEM 100, CHI 90): Bane’s 15-foot jumper and Aldama’s putback extended the lead to 14 (5:30). White’s three kept Chicago within 10 (2:10).
• Q4 (MEM 132, CHI 119): Jackson’s dunk and Pippen’s steal-to-layup sealed the win (3:45). LaVine’s late three was cosmetic (1:30).

Head-to-Head Analysis

The Grizzlies won the 2024-25 season series 2-1, outscoring the Bulls 397-376 (132.3 PPG to 125.3 PPG). Key trends include:

• Offensive Efficiency: Memphis shot 50.0% FG and 39.3% 3P across the series, compared to Chicago’s 47.6% FG and 44.8% 3P. The Bulls’ 25/53 three-point performance in Game 1 was a series high. Memphis averaged 33.0 assists to Chicago’s 31.3, reflecting superior ball movement.
• Rebounding and Defense: Memphis outrebounded Chicago 51.7 to 42.3 per game, with 14.0 offensive rebounds to Chicago’s 9.7. The Grizzlies’ 6.7 blocks per game edged Chicago’s 4.7, and their 22.3 points off turnovers outpaced Chicago’s 14.0.
• Clutch Moments: Chicago’s fourth-quarter comeback in Game 1 (33-23 scoring edge) was driven by LaVine and Vučević, while Memphis’ depth, led by Pippen and Wells, powered their wins in Games 2 and 3.

Historical Context: The Bulls lead the all-time series 33-26, with 59 regular-season games through 2024-25. Recent seasons show Chicago’s dominance (e.g., 2023-24: Bulls 2-0), but Memphis’ 2-1 series win in 2024-25 marked a shift, driven by their young core.

Series Standouts

Chicago Bulls

• Zach LaVine (G): Averaged 28.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 4.7/10.3 3P (45.2%). LaVine’s fourth-quarter heroics in Game 1 were pivotal.
• Nikola Vučević (C): Averaged 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3/6.3 3P (36.8%). Vučević’s versatility kept Chicago competitive.
• Coby White (G): Averaged 20.0 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0/8.7 3P (46.2%). White’s three-point shooting was consistent.

Memphis Grizzlies

• Desmond Bane (G): Averaged 29.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists (Games 1, 3), 5.0/9.0 3P (55.6%). Bane’s scoring was a series highlight.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. (G): Averaged 20.7 points, 9.3 assists, with a 30-point outburst in Game 2. Pippen’s playmaking was crucial.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (F): Averaged 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks. Jackson’s two-way play anchored Memphis.

Team Performance Context

Chicago Bulls (39-43, 9th in East, 2024-25)

The Bulls finished the 2024-25 season with a 39-43 record, securing a play-in spot but falling short in the playoffs. Their offense averaged 117.8 PPG (18th), with a 46.96% FG rate, led by LaVine (22.0 PPG) and Vučević (17.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG). Defensively, they allowed 119.4 PPG (23rd), struggling with turnovers (12.1 per game). The series showcased LaVine’s scoring and Chicago’s three-point prowess (44.8% in series), but defensive lapses cost them Games 2 and 3.

Memphis Grizzlies (48-34, 7th in West, 2024-25)

The Grizzlies ended the 2024-25 season at 48-34, reaching the playoffs despite Ja Morant’s absence (hip injury) in the series. Their offense averaged 121.7 PPG (9th), with a 47.95% FG rate, led by Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.2 PPG) and Desmond Bane (21.3 PPG). Defensively, they allowed 116.9 PPG (16th), excelling in blocks (5.63 per game). The series highlighted Memphis’ depth, with Pippen and Wells stepping up.

Injury and Roster Notes

Chicago Bulls:

• Injuries: DeMar DeRozan was traded before the season, increasing reliance on LaVine and Vučević. Lonzo Ball played limited minutes in Game 1 (17:59) due to knee management.
• Roster Context: The Bulls leaned on LaVine, Vučević, and White, with Giddey’s playmaking and Smith’s bench scoring providing depth.

Memphis Grizzlies:

• Injuries: Ja Morant missed all three games due to a hip injury, per NBA.com. Zach Edey played limited minutes in Game 1 (13:32) due to a rookie adjustment.
• Roster Context: Memphis relied on Pippen, Wells, and Bane, with Jackson and Aldama anchoring the frontcourt.

Conclusion

The Memphis Grizzlies won the 2024-25 season series against the Chicago Bulls 2-1, with victories on November 23, 2024 (142-131) and January 18, 2025 (132-119), after a loss on October 28, 2024 (126-123). Memphis’ depth, led by Scotty Pippen Jr., Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., overcame Chicago’s star-driven offense, powered by Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević. The Bulls’ three-point shooting (44.8% in series) was a highlight, but Memphis’ rebounding (51.7 per game) and points off turnovers (22.3 per game) proved decisive. The series underscored both teams’ potential in a competitive season. For detailed stats and recaps, visit NBA.com, ESPN, FOX Sports, StatMuse, RealGM, or CBSSports.com.