Luol Deng scored 20 points, while Derrick Rose and John Lucas each added 13 to power hosts Chicago over Indiana 92-72 on Monday and stretch the Bulls’ winning streak to seven games.
The Bulls improved their NBA-best record to 32-8 while snapping Indiana’s six-game wining streak. The Pacers fell to 23-13, seven games off Chicago’s pace in the Central Division.
Chicago’s Joakim Noah grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds, while Rose contributed a game-high nine assists for the Bulls.
Photo: EPA
Indiana’s Paul George scored a game-high 21 points, while George Hill added 17 in a losing cause.
THUNDER 95, MAVERICKS 91
In Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook scored 24 points and Kevin Durant added 22 as Oklahoma City scored the final eight points to extend their home winning streak to 13 games.
Westbrook answered Dirk Nowitzki’s fourth three-pointer of the final period by hitting one of his own from the right wing to get the Thunder within 91-90 with 2 minutes, 25 seconds remaining, and Dallas did not score again.
Serge Ibaka hit two free throws with 46 seconds left to give Oklahoma City the lead, while Jason Terry missed two shots down the stretch for the Mavericks.
TIMBERWOLVES 95, CLIPPERS 94
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kevin Love had 39 points and 17 rebounds to carry the Timberwolves to a one-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Darko Milicic had 13 points in a spot start for the injured Nikola Pekovic, while Michael Beasley scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter for the Wolves.
Blake Griffin had 26 points and 12 rebounds, but scored just four in the final period for the Clippers. Mo Williams scored 19 points for Los Angeles, who outrebounded Minnesota 52-43.
NUGGETS 119, KINGS 116, OT
In Denver, Colorado, Arron Afflalo hit three free throws with 0.6 seconds left in regulation and Ty Lawson made a three-pointer with just 4 seconds to go in overtime as Denver improved to 4-0 since the All-Star break.
Afflalo finished with a career-high 32 points for the Nuggets.
Lawson came up with the clutch basket for the second straight night, finishing with 16 points and 13 assists.
Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans each had 27 points for the Kings.
BUCKS 97, 76ERS 93
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Beno Udrih hit a go-ahead jumper with just less than a minute left as Milwaukee held off Philadelphia’s late comeback.
Brandon Jennings had 33 points, while Drew Gooden added 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who have been stuck in a funk for a little more than a month.
Since beating the Miami Heat on Feb. 1, Milwaukee had lost 12 of their past 16 games coming into Monday night’s game.
In other games, it was:
‧ Magic 92, Raptors 88
‧ Jazz 109, Cavaliers 100
‧ Warriors 120, Wizards 100
‧ Trail Blazers 86, Hornets 74.
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