The Indiana Pacers became the first visiting team to win in Chicago this season, beating the Bulls 95-90 on Wednesday to close the gap between the NBA Central Division’s two top teams to two-and-a-half games.
Danny Granger scored 22 points and Roy Hibbert added 20 points, including a key dunk after a mad scramble that gave the Pacers a four-point lead with 13 seconds to go.
Indiana, who lost to the Bulls in a heated opening round of last season’s playoffs, had trailed by 10 at halftime.
Photo: EPA
The Bulls, missing injured starting forward Luol Deng with a wrist injury, are now 8-1 at home. Derrick Rose led Chicago with 24 points, but had only two in the final quarter.
SPURS 105, HAWKS 83
In San Antonio, Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair each scored 17 points as San Antonio handed surging Atlanta their first lopsided loss of the season.
Tiago Splitter added 16 points for the Spurs, who relished a convincing win over the Southeast Division leaders after barely squeaking past woeful New Orleans on Monday.
Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 22 points. Kirk Hinrich made his season debut after missing 18 games recovering from shoulder surgery.
LAKERS 96, CLIPPERS 91
In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to help rally the Lakers back from a deficit and beat the Clippers in a testy all-Los Angeles clash.
Pau Gasol had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who finally got the better of their Staples Center co-tenants after two losses in preseason games and one earlier this month.
The teams combined for six technical fouls, and the Lakers’ Josh McRoberts was ejected.
Blake Griffin had 26 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who led for almost all the first three quarters. Chris Paul was quiet in his return from a hamstring strain.
TIMBERWOLVES 105, MAVERICKS 90
In Dallas, Kevin Love had 31 points and 10 rebounds to celebrate signing a rich new contract, leading Minnesota to a road win over defending champion Dallas.
The end of the Mavericks’ seven-game home winning streak, and their franchise-record streak of holding 15 consecutive opponents under 100 points, came after they finally received their championship rings during a pregame ceremony.
Dallas led by 14 points late in the second quarter, but the Timberwolves finished the first half with eight consecutive points in the final minute, then had a 13-4 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter for the lead.
Ricky Rubio had 17 points and 12 assists for Minnesota.
Jason Terry led Dallas with 17 points.
NUGGETS 122, KINGS 93
In Sacramento, Danilo Gallinari celebrated a contract extension by scoring 21 of his 23 points in the first half to set up Denver’s easy win over Sacramento.
Nene had 16 points for the Nuggets, who led by 31 points early in the third quarter before easing up. They posted both their fifth straight victory and fifth in a row on the road. It was the first time they have won five in a row on the road since joining the NBA in 1976-1977.
Rookie Jimmer Fredette scored 19 points for the Kings.
NETS 97, 76ERS 90
In Philadelphia, Deron Williams scored 34 points, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 26.8 seconds left in overtime, to give New Jersey a tight win over Philadelphia.
Kris Humphries had 13 points and a season-high 19 rebounds for New Jersey.
Lou Williams led Philadelphia with 17 points.
THUNDER 101, HORNETS 91
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 25 points to lead Oklahoma City to their 10th win in 11 games, downing New Orleans.
Durant was 9 of 13 from the field and had a team-high seven rebounds.
The Thunder improved to 15-3, the best record in the Western Conference, despite an off night from guard Russell Westbrook and 21 turnovers.
Jarrett Jack scored 20 points to lead New Orleans.
HEAT 101, PISTONS 98
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, LeBron James scored 32 points, including the game’s last six from the free throw line, to lead Miami past Detroit.
The Heat trailed 98-95, but James made two free throws to cut the deficit to one with 1:19 left. After Damien Wilkins fumbled the ball out of bounds for the Pistons, James drove straight at Austin Daye, drawing another foul and putting Miami up 99-98.
James made two more free throws with 9.4 seconds remaining after Detroit’s Greg Monroe missed inside.
Chris Bosh hit his first seven shots and finished with 27 points for Miami.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Bucks 105, Rockets 99
‧ Warriors 101, Trail Blazers 93
‧ Raptors 111, Jazz 106, 2 OT
‧ Cavaliers 91, Knicks 81
‧ Wizards 92, Bobcats 75
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