CHICAGO (AP) ― Derrick Rose scored 23 points in his return from back pain, and the Chicago Bulls beat the struggling Atlanta Hawks 90-79 on Monday.
Rose looked sharp after missing the previous five games, and the Bulls played more like championship contenders after a brutal loss to New Jersey two days earlier. They led by 18 through the first quarter and were up 55-37 at halftime, but found themselves hanging on in the end after a big push by Atlanta.
The Bulls were clinging to an 85-79 lead after a late 3-pointer by Jannero Pargo before Luol Deng nailed a 3 of his own to make it a nine-point game. Rose then buried a turnaround jumper to make it 90-79 with 2:10 remaining and Chicago prevailed, sending Atlanta to its seventh loss in 10 games.
New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin shoots against the New Jersey Nets on Monday. (AP-Yonhap News)
Rose also had six assists and five rebounds. Carlos Boozer added 16 points, Ronnie Brewer had 13, and Deng and John Lucas 10 apiece. Joakim Noah chipped in with 17 rebounds.
Pargo provided a big spark off the bench for Atlanta with a season-high 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers. Josh Smith added 17 points and 12 rebounds, but the Hawks came up short again.
Nets thwart Lin, Knicks NEW YORK (AP) ― Linsanity ran into reality: All-Star Deron Williams wasn’t getting embarrassed by the Harvard guy again.
Williams scored a season-high 38 points, outplaying Jeremy Lin and leading the New Jersey Nets to a 100-92 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night.
Lin began his remarkable run against the Nets about two weeks ago, but Williams and the Nets were ready for him this time.
Lin finished with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but Williams outscored him 36-11 through three quarters, when the Nets led by 18.
Dallas 89, Boston 73
Houston 97, Memphis 93
Orlando 93, Milwaukee 90
Oklahoma City 101, New Orleans 93
Phoenix 104, Washington 88
San Antonio 106, Utah 102
Denver 103, Minnesota 101
Golden State 104, LA Clippers 97
LA Lakers 103, Portland 92
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
