Chicago’s Luol Deng led a flurry of three-pointers to help the NBA-leading Bulls blow out the Atlanta Hawks 98-77 on Wednesday for another road victory.
Deng was five of eight from beyond the arc and the Bulls finished nine of 16 to improve to their NBA-best record away from home to 21-6 and their overall mark to 41-11, even though Derrick Rose was missing for the eighth straight game with a shoulder injury. The Bulls have not missed a beat, winning six times without their most valuable player. Deng finished with 22 points and had plenty of help, with Carlos Boozer scoring 20.
Josh Smith led Atlanta with 19 points.
Photo: EPA
KNICKS 108, MAGIC 86
In New York, the hosts climbed above .500 for the first time since mid-January by convincingly beating Orlando, despite having both Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire sitting out with injuries
The Knicks scored 21 straight points in the third quarter to set up their eighth win in nine games.
Carmelo Anthony and Iman Shumpert each scored 25 points for New York, who moved 2.5 games ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and pulled within 2.5 of Philadelphia and Boston for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Jameer Nelson scored 17 points and J.J. Redick had 15 for the Magic, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.
CELTICS 94, JAZZ 82
In Boston, Massachusetts, Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds to lead Boston to their fifth win in six games, downing Utah.
Rajon Rondo had 14 assists for the Celtics, who moved into a tie with Philadelphia atop the Atlantic Division. Former Celtic Al Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz.
CLIPPERS 103, SUNS 86
In Los Angeles, California, Blake Griffin threw down three dunks in a one minute, 40 second span late in the fourth quarter to power Los Angeles beyond Phoenix.
Griffin had 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Chris Paul had 15 points and 15 assists to help the Clippers move two games behind the Lakers in the Pacific Division. They have won five straight at home.
Marcin Gortat led Phoenix with 23 points and seven rebounds.
SPURS 117, KINGS 112
In Sacramento, California, San Antonio edged Sacramento to record a sixth straight win.
Manu Ginobili scored 20 points and Kawhi Leonard had 19 for the Spurs, who were playing their fifth game in six nights, but still shot 54 percent and out-rebounded the Kings.
Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 28 points and had 10 assists for Sacramento.
NETS 100, PACERS 84
In Newark, New Jersey, Deron Williams had 30 points and nine assists for lowly New Jersey, who finished with eight fit players, but still beat Indiana. Rookie MarShon Brooks added 17 points for the Nets, who started with only 10 players available before losing starting center Shelden Williams to an eye injury and backup center Jordan Williams to a concussion in the third.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Raptors 105, Nuggets 96
‧ Pistons 87, Cavaliers 75
‧ Hornets 102, Warriors 87
‧ Timberwolves 88, Bobcats 83
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