The Chicago Bulls extended their winning streak to six games with a late run to pull away from the Orlando Magic 97-83 at the Amway Center on Friday.
The Bulls held off a late push by the Magic that narrowed a 17-point lead to just three at 80-77 with six minutes left, before securing the victory by limiting the Magic to just one more field goal.
Chicago’s Kyle Korver had two of his five three-pointers in the game to stretch the winning margin.
Photo: AFP
Derrick Rose and Luol Deng led the Bulls attack with 21 points each, Carlos Boozer scored 20 and Korver had 18 off the bench. Rose also had 10 assists, while Boozer pulled down 13 rebounds to record double-doubles.
Dwight Howard scored 14 of his 28 points in the first quarter to keep the Magic close early, but the Bulls seized control of the game in the second quarter with Howard on the bench, building a 10-point lead at halftime.
Howard also had 15 rebounds for a double-double, while Jason Richardson added 17 points.
LAKERS 97, WARRIORS 90
In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 26 of his 39 points in a dynamic second half, while Pau Gasol added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the weary Los Angeles Lakers gritted out a victory over Golden State.
Matt Barnes had 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out for the Lakers, who won their fifth straight home game while playing their NBA-high ninth game in 13 days.
Monta Ellis scored 18 points, while David Lee had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Warriors.
KNICKS 99, WIZARDS 96
In Washington, Carmelo Anthony made a go-ahead three-pointer with 15.9 seconds to play and scored 37 points as New York rallied to keep Washington winless.
Amare Stoudemire added 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 15 boards in the Knicks’ seventh straight victory over the Wizards.
Nick Young scored 24 points, while John Wall had 22 points and nine assists for the Wizards in the closest loss during the worst start in franchise history.
HAWKS 102, BOBCATS 96, OT
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta went to overtime for a second straight night, pulling out a victory over Charlotte behind 23 points and 13 rebounds from Josh Smith.
Marvin Williams added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Al Horford scored 15 points for the Hawks (5-3).
D.J. Augustin led the Bobcats with 21 points and 12 assists, while Kemba Walker added 19 points and Byron Mullens had 17 off the bench.
In other games, it was:
‧ Thunder 109, Rockets 94
‧ Suns 102, Trail Blazers 77
‧ Nets 97, Paptors 85
‧ Cavs 98, Timberwolves 87
‧ Nuggets 96, Hornets 88
‧ 76ers 96, Pistons 73
‧ Pacers 87, Celtics 74
‧ Jazz 94, Grizzlies 85
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