The Chicago Bulls shot just 38.6% from the field, but still found a way to break there thee losing streak with a 90 to 85 win over the Indiana Pacers. Indiana shot 42% from the field, but the bulls mad up the difference by shooting 18 more free throws in the game.
The Bulls got out to a six point lead early in the 1st quarter at 11-5. The Pacers where never able to get closer than three points in the quarter as the Bulls slowly built there lead. It looked as though the Bulls would finish the quarter with a double digit lead, but Aaron Brooks (former Bull) hit a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to cut the leas to nine points. Chicago had a 28-19 lead after the 1st quarter.
The Bulls added to there lead at the start pf the 2nd quarter and when Jerian Grant hit a jumper with 7:33 left the Bulls had there biggest lead at 16 points; 41-25. Indiana was able to get the lead down to 10 points by the end of the quarter. The Pacers finished the 2nd quarter on a 16-10 run. The Bulls took a 51-41 lead at the half.
The Bulls where able to keep the lead at or around double digits. The biggest lead the Bulls could build was 12 points on a couple of occasions, but then there poor shooting started to show. In the last three minutes of the quarter Indiana outscored the Bulls 12-2 and cut the lead to just 2 points at 63-61 through three quarters.
The Pacers got all the way back when they ties the game at 64 all early in the 4th quarter. After Indiana tied the game the Bulls went on a 10-0 run. The Pacers cut the lead to 2 points three different times and even got the lead won to 1 point with 45 seconds left, but the Bulls where able to hit there last two shots and pull out a 90-85 win.
Dwayne Wade was the Bulls and the games high scorer with 21 points. Nikola Mirotic came off the Bulls bench to score 20 points. Jimmy Butler had a tough night shooting going 3 of 12 from the field, but did go 9 of 12 from the free throw line and scored 16 points. Taj Gibson and Jerian Grant (off the bench) each had 10 points. Robin Lopez grabbed a game high 12 rebounds for the Bulls while Wade, Butler and Rajon Rondo each handed out 5 assists to tie for the team lead.
Aaron Brooks came off the Pacers bench to lead them in scoring with 19 points. Myles Turner had 16 points and a team high 8 rebounds. Paul George scored 14 points and handed out a game high 8 assists. Thaddeus Young scored 12 points while Al Jefferson also reached double digits coming off the Pacers bench to score 11 points.
With the win the Bulls are now 15-16. After having to play 3 games in 4 days the Bulls will get a day off before hosting the 8-22 Brooklyn Nets. The loss drops Indiana to 15-17 this season. The Pacers will also get a day off before they head to Washington to face the 14-16 Wizards.
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