Bulls rally to beat Rockets, keep playoffs a reality
HOUSTON (AP) — Nikola Mirotic scored 28 points and Jimmy Butler added 21 to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 103-100 win over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night.
In a pivotal game for two teams fighting for the final playoff spots in their respective conferences, the Bulls were fueled by a strong fourth quarter in which they outscored the Rockets 32-20. Chicago entered the fourth facing a nine-point deficit but was able to overcome thanks to hot shooting from Mirotic.
Trevor Ariza attempted a tying 3 at the buzzer, but it rimmed out and Chicago held on.
The Bulls won their second consecutive game following a four-game skid and trail Indiana by one game for the final playoff spot in the East.
Houston dropped a half-game behind Utah and Dallas, who are tied for the seventh and eighth seeds in the West.
James Harden led Houston with 24 points and eight assists, Patrick Beverley had a career-high 22 points, and Michael Beasley added 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
Bobby Portis started at power forward for Chicago in place of Taj Gibson, who was sidelined by a broken rib with no clear timetable for a return. Additionally, Derrick Rose (hyperextended left elbow) was limited to 12 minutes and did not play in the second half.
Doug McDermott handled the bulk of the minutes in Rose's absence, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
The Bulls kept pace with the Rockets in the first half, thanks in large part to 21 first-half points from Mirotic. After scoring a team season-high 15 points in the second quarter of Tuesday's win over Indiana, Mirotic dropped 14 second-quarter points on Houston, hitting four of five 3s.
Houston had a chance to take a lead into halftime, but a 30-foot attempt from Harden clanked off the front of the rim, and the score was tied at 52 at the break.
The Rockets took advantage of a sloppy Chicago start to the third quarter, opening on a 14-2 run that included a thunderous dunk by Harden over Pau Gasol that also drew a foul.
Gasol had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his 500th career double-double.
TIP-INS
Bulls: Gibson will be reevaluated Friday, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. Gibson, who tried to play through the injury Tuesday for 10 minutes in Indiana, insisted he will return this season. ... Rose (elbow) wore a thick sleeve and made several trips to the locker room for treatment.
Rockets: Fell to 23-35 when allowing 100 or more points. ... Houston missed 16 of 25 3-point attempts, including five of seven by Harden. ... Houston dominated Chicago in the paint, outscoring the Bulls 48-30 from close range. ... Clint Capela had eight points and five rebounds off the bench.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host Detroit on Saturday.
Rockets: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday.