Rose powers Bulls past OKC Thunder
CHICAGO—Derrick Rose scored 29 points and Jimmy Butler added 26 to lead the Bulls to a 104-98 victory over Oklahoma City on Thursday night.
Rose scored 10 points over the final 3 1/2 minutes to lift the Bulls after they blew a 10point lead in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma City tied it with just over five minutes left in the game. But Rose’s performance down the stretch helped offset Durant’s 33 points and lifted the Bulls after they got blown out at Charlotte two nights earlier.
Russell Westbrook had 20 points and 10 assists and Serge Ibaka scored 17 points for the Thunder, who lost their third straight.
Chicago was clinging to a 98-96 lead when Rose hit consecutive jumpers to make it a sixpoint gamewith just over a minute remaining.
After Durant hit a jumper, Pau Gasol nailed a sweeping hook with 38.4 seconds left, sealing the win for the Bulls.
In Minneapolis, Dwyane Wade showed no ill effects from a migraine headache two days ago and scored 25 points to lead Miami past Minnesota, 96-84.
Chris Bosh had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who were playing one day after reserve guard Gerald Green was hospitalized for unspecified reasons. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Green’s condition had improved by Thursday, but it remained unclear why he was hospitalized and how long he will be away.
Shabazz Muhammad had 14 points and six rebounds on a brutal shooting night for the Timberwolves, who shot just 35 percent from the field.
Goran Dragic added 18 points as all five Heat starters scored in double figures.
Wade suffered a migraine in the third quarter against Atlanta on Tuesday, but was able to finish the game. He showed no ill effects and helped Miami close the first half in a flash.
OTHER RESULTS: Hornets 108, Mavericks 94; Jazz 96, Nuggets 84; Trail Blazers 115, Grizzlies 96