Derrick Rose scored a game-high 26 points as the Chicago Bulls overcame a 12-point third quarter to pull away down the stretch for the 82-77 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Without Carlos Boozer, it was up to Rose to carry the load for the Bulls and he did just that. In a solid all-around game, the second-year point guard finished with nine points and seven assists to go along with his 26 points on 9-28 shooting.
Bulls Vs. Mavericks Final Score: Derrick Rose Scores 26 As Chicago Rolls To 82-77 Win
The Bulls took a 44-35 lead into the half, but saw it all disappear as they came out of the locker room flat. The Mavs took advantage, outscoring the Bulls 25-12 to take a 60-56 lead into the final frame.
Down the stretch it was all Rose as he picked up the reeling Bulls and lifted them into the lead in the fourth. An acrobatic layup tied the score at 66 midway though the quarter and started a Chicago run that saw the Bulls take control of the game. A slick pull-up jumper with under a minute to go gave Chicago a four-point lead and sealed the game.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with 19 points in loss. Tyson Chandler had a double-double for Dallas with 12 points and 12 rebounds. DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Terry each had 12 points in the loss, as well.
The Bulls won despite only Rose being in double-figures. Kyle Korver and Kurt Thomas each had nine points, with Luol Deng pulling down a team-high 12 rebounds. Thomas was in double-digits on the boards, finishing with 11 rebounds.
Chicago improved to 29-14 with the win, pushing their advantage to 11 games in the Eastern Conference's Central division.. Dallas fell to 27-15 with the loss. The Mavs sit nine games back of the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwestern division.
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