Bulls 95, Bobcats 89
Carlos Boozer scored 23 points and Luol Deng had 22 as the undermanned Chicago Bulls stayed perfect at home with a 95-89 victory over Charlotte on Saturday night.
Derrick Rose sat out against the Bobcats, the fourth straight game the NBA’s reigning MVP has missed because of a sprained left big toe.
The Bulls (15-3) also were missing Joakim Noah (ankle), Taj Gibson (ankle) and John Lucas (groin). Noah was a late scratch after rolling his left ankle in a win at Cleveland
Richard Hamilton scored 20 for Chicago, which improved to 7-0 at United Center. Boozer had nine rebounds and Deng eight.
C.J. Watson had 11 points and nine assists while Omer Asik had 15 rebounds in his first start. Mike James came off the bench to add nine points and 10 assists.
Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats (3-13) with 22 points and nine rebounds. Byron Mullens, taking advantage of no Noah in the middle, had 17 points and five rebounds.