Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Tyreke Evans scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half as the Kings came back from an astounding 35-point deficit in the third quarter to shock the Bulls in a 102-98 triumph at the United Center.
Kings Erase 35-Point Deficit To Shock Bulls 102-98
Evans added eight rebounds in the amazing comeback, which also featured 17 points from Ime Udoka and 16 from Beno Udrih as Sacramento strung together back-to-back wins on the road for the first time since April of the 2007-08 season.
Jason Thompson recorded 14 points and seven rebounds in the win.
Luol Deng posted 26 points and Derrick Rose scored 24 and registered seven assists for the Bulls, who were coming off back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-November.
John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich each notched 14 points as Chicago finished off a six-game homestand at 3-3 in disappointing fashion.
Already holding a 24-point lead at the break, Chicago busted out of the gates on a 12-1 run to open up a whopping 79-44 advantage.
That’s when things went horribly wrong for the Bulls. Thompson hit two baskets to spark a 19-5 stretch the Kings used to end the third and climb within 88-69.
Hinrich made two buckets in the opening two minutes of the fourth -- but the Bulls didn’t hit another shot from the floor the rest of the way.
Evans followed with a three-point play and tied it with a layup with 1:44 to go. The rookie continued a hot stretch with a free throw and jump shot to gain a 99-96 lead with 50.1 seconds remaining.
Rose hit two at the line for a one-point affair. Evans ran the shot clock down and drove the lane but his shot rimmed out. Thompson, though, secured the board and kicked it back out to Evans, who was fouled and made 1-of-2 for a 100-98 game with 15.1 ticks left.
Rose then backed Evans down in the lane, but missed a short jumper after releasing from the coverage. Udrih was then fouled and hit both to seal the improbable win.
Chicago jumped out to an early 26-9 lead and held a 38-19 advantage at the close of the first quarter. The Bulls kept pouring it on in the second and took a 67-43 halftime lead on a Rose basket just before the horn.
The Bulls made 2-of-10 field goals and had seven turnovers in the fourth quarter...Rose and Evans were matched up as former standouts at Memphis. Both left after just one year to join the NBA...The Bulls had won three straight over the Kings including a 101-87 victory at Sacramento on Nov. 17.
See More:
