Giddey's triple-double sends Bulls to 116-111 win over Bucks

CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Giddey had 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double this season to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 116-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Giddey, who missed the previous four games with an ankle injury, sank two free throws with 10 seconds left to make it 115-111, then pulled down a rebound to help seal it as Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak.

Nikola Vucevic had 23 points and 13 rebounds. Coby White, who scored 22, nailed a tiebreaking jumper with 32 seconds remaining.

Damian Lillard returned to the lineup with 29 points and 12 assists, but the Bucks dropped their second straight. The star guard came on with 18 points in the second half as Milwaukee played without NBA scoring leader Giannis Antetokounmpo (illness) for a fourth consecutive game.

Brook Lopez had 22 points and Khris Middleton scored 17 of his 21 in the first half. Middleton, under a minutes restriction following offseason ankle surgery, played sparingly in the second half before hitting two key baskets late.

The Bulls led 62-60 at halftime after opening a pair of 13-point leads.

Bucks: It took a while for the 34-year-old Lillard to heat up. He pulled Milwaukee back into the game and played 35:28.

Bulls: Chicago responded with a tighter effort following a 141-133 loss at Atlanta on Thursday when the Hawks rallied from a late 21-point deficit with 50 points in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls opened a seven-point cushion to start the third before the Bucks bounced back and took their first lead, 75-72, on Bobby Portis' 3-pointer midway through the quarter. Milwaukee led 84-83 after three, but Chicago used a 10-0 run to set up a close finish.

Chicago outscored Milwaukee 56-42 in the paint.

The Bucks play at Indiana on New Year’s Eve. The Bulls are at Charlotte on Monday.

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Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, guards Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, right, tries to block a 3-point shot by Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., left, fouls Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, left, hugs Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, after an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins, left, tries to block a shot fby Chicago Bulls forward Dalen Terry, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green, right, pursues Chicago Bulls forward Dalen Terry, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams goes up to sink a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers prepares for a timeout during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams, left, guards Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine makes a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard reacts as his team falls behind the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine takes a free throw during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., right, guards against Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls forward Dalen Terry reacts after sinking a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are living through a repeat of their worst season since the franchise left Texas in 1997.

Only this is much worse.

The 2014 team went 2-14 in Ken Whisenhunt 's first season as head coach.

If these Titans (3-13) lose Sunday against Houston, they would match the most losses in Tennessee thanks to the NFL’s move to a 17-game regular season.

Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk fired a general manager in December 2022 as the Titans slumped from two-time defending division champs to a season-ending skid. She fired coach Mike Vrabel in January after a 6-11 season.

Now Brian Callahan goes into the final game of his debut season with five straight losses and seven of the past eight in the franchise's third straight losing season.

The lone win in that stretch? In Houston.

That 2014 season netted the No. 2 pick overall in the 2015 NFL draft, and Tennessee drafted quarterback Marcus Mariota who was benched in 2019 for veteran Ryan Tannehill.

There's plenty of pressure on this franchise. The Titans will be wearing their Houston Oilers' throwbacks on Sunday in hosting the Texans. They're currently selling personal seat licenses and season tickets for the $2.2 billion enclosed stadium being built next door scheduled to open for the 2027 season.

Callahan was asked about an NFL Network report that he and his staff would be back for the 2025 season. He said his conversations with Strunk have been positive and that he has talks with general manager Ran Carthon and Chad Brinker, president of football operations.

“I just come in and try to do my job as best I can and do it as long as they allow me to do it,” Callahan said Monday. “And if for some reason at some point, and hopefully it’s years from now when someone says we don’t need your services anymore, then that’s how it goes.”

The defense. The Titans have held eight opponents to 24 points or fewer this season, including the 20-13 loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville. In coordinator Dennard Wilson's first season, they go into the finale third in the NFL in yards allowed and second against the pass.

They've held 11 opponents to fewer than 200 yards passing this season. The Titans also have 17 takeaways this season with eight interceptions since Week 12.

The offense. The Titans were shut out in the first half, and they wound up with their sixth loss this season by eight points or fewer. Mason Rudolph's lone interception was a tipped ball, but it was the 33rd turnover of the season for Tennessee — most in the NFL.

That's why Callahan said both Rudolph, who has started and lost the past two games, and second-year quarterback Will Levis will play Sunday. A decision on who starts will come later this week.

The Titans had a chance to try and force overtime or go for the win late. But Rudolph couldn't connect with a wide-open Chig Okonkwo on the left sideline. Then a fourth down pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was broken up at the goal line.

RB Tyjae Spears. The second-year back out of Tulane had the best game of his career and only a 5-yard loss on the play that knocked him out of the game cost him his first 100-yard rushing performance. Spears averaged 4.8 yards per carry.

LT JC Latham. The seventh pick overall out of Alabama has started every game, but he gave up another sack and four pressures against the Jaguars. He has allowed seven sacks this season and 43 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

Callahan said Latham is a run powerful run blocker who will only get better.

Spears (concussion) will have a hard time clearing the concussion protocol in a week. Jaelyn Duncan (shoulder) also is unlikely to play after lasting only 15 snaps in his second start at RT this season.

Callahan said RB Tony Pollard, who missed his first game this season with illness and an injured ankle, and RG Dillon Radunz (shoulder) could be back.

13 — The number of Titans starters in Jacksonville who did not start the season opener in Chicago. That includes seven on offense and six on defense because of injuries.

Callahan also started rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Darrell Baker at cornerback, sitting veteran Chidobe Awuzie who came off the bench for 35 snaps.

Lose one more game and finish with the No. 2 pick overall. If the New England Patriots lose to Buffalo, the Titans could land the top pick overall for the first time since 2016. That pick was traded two weeks before the draft for a handful of picks that netted three starters led by Derrick Henry.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan looks to the field from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tennessee Titans linebacker Jerome Baker, right, breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) is sacked by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown after catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan answers questions from reporters after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)